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Labour MP Ivan Lewis under formal investigation after conduct complaint Labour MP Ivan Lewis under investigation after conduct complaint
(about 1 hour later)
Labour MP Ivan Lewis is under formal investigation following a complaint about his conduct, but the former minister has not been suspended by the party. Labour MP Ivan Lewis has been put under formal investigation following a complaint about his conduct, but the former minister has not been suspended by the party.
A party spokesman refused to discuss details of the allegation but said any complaint of sexual harassment was treated extremely seriously. “The Labour party takes all allegations of sexual harassment extremely seriously and all complaints are investigated in line with our robust procedures,” they said. “Ivan Lewis is currently under investigation following the receipt of a complaint.” A party spokesman refused to discuss details of the allegation on Wednesday but said any complaint of sexual harassment was treated extremely seriously.
“The Labour party takes all allegations of sexual harassment extremely seriously and all complaints are investigated in line with our robust procedures,” they said. “Ivan Lewis is currently under investigation following the receipt of a complaint.”
Earlier this month the Bury South MP said in a statement he was sorry if his behaviour towards women he worked with had made anyone feel “awkward” but denied making any “non-consensual sexual comments or sexual advances”.Earlier this month the Bury South MP said in a statement he was sorry if his behaviour towards women he worked with had made anyone feel “awkward” but denied making any “non-consensual sexual comments or sexual advances”.
It is understood that Lewis has not been suspended by the party and continues to hold the Labour whip. He denied making non-consensual sexual advances towards women after one woman alleged he touched her leg and invited her to his house during a Labour party event in 2010 when she was 19.
Earlier this month, Lewis denied making non-consensual sexual advances towards women after a woman alleged he touched her leg and invited her to his house during a Labour party event in 2010 when she was 19. It is understood that Lewis, 50, has not been suspended by the party and continues to take the Labour whip.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, Lewis’ lawyer told Buzzfeed News: “Mr Lewis has previously acknowledged that on some occasions his invitations to people he works with to join him for dinner or drinks have made them feel uncomfortable. He apologises if this caused them discomfort and if he underestimated the impact his invitations to drinks or dinner could have. Lewis was first elected to parliament in 1997 and served under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as minister for state for care services, international development and foreign and commonwealth affairs.
“He has always sought to behave with integrity and is genuinely sorry if he got it wrong in some circumstances. He fully supports the rights of women to raise these issues, and stresses his commitment to equality and fairness in the workplace.”
Lewis was first elected to parliament in 1997 and served under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as minister for state of care services, international development and foreign and commonwealth affairs.
Lewis also held roles in opposition under Ed Miliband as shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport, and Northern Ireland.Lewis also held roles in opposition under Ed Miliband as shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport, and Northern Ireland.