Labour MP Stephen Hepburn suspended over sexual harassment allegation
2 min read
Labour MP Stephen Hepburn has been suspended by the party over an allegation of sexual harassment.
The backbencher has had the whip removed while his case is referred to its National Constitutional Committee for investigation.
It was reported by HuffPost that Mr Hepburn, the MP for Jarrow, targeted a female party member in her 20s in 2005.
The 59-year-old was suspended after a decision by Labour officials when a panel met on Friday night.
Two other cases discussed at the same meeting have resulted in suspensions by the party.
One is the candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster seat, Steven Saxby, who said an allegation had been made against him that he “strongly refutes".
And Labour bosses were accused of a "political stitch-up" after Jas Athwal, the favourite to win the nomination to stand for Labour in Ilford South at the next general election, was suspended the day before hustings in the seat were due to take place.
The complaint involving Mr Hepburn was reportedly lodged two years ago but later dropped.
However the case was re-opened when a fellow MP said to be present during the alleged incident came forward.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints of sexual harassment extremely seriously, which are fully investigated and any appropriate disciplinary action taken in line with the Party’s rules and procedures.
“We are determined to challenge and overturn sexual harassment and misogyny within politics and across society as a whole.
“We cannot comment on individual complaints."
It comes two weeks after another Labour MP, Mike Hill, had the whip withdrawn and his party membership suspended over claims he sexually harassed a parliamentary staffer.
Mr Hepburn has been contacted for comment.
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