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Lib Dem MP faces council investigation over harassment allegation Lib Dem MP faces council investigation over harassment allegation
(6 months later)
A council is to launch an investigation into the conduct of the Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock, focusing on a longstanding allegation that he sexually assaulted and harassed a mentally ill woman.A council is to launch an investigation into the conduct of the Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock, focusing on a longstanding allegation that he sexually assaulted and harassed a mentally ill woman.
The Portsmouth South MP has been accused of "upsetting sexual treatment" over the course of 10 months after the woman approached him for help with a neighbourhood dispute in 2009.The Portsmouth South MP has been accused of "upsetting sexual treatment" over the course of 10 months after the woman approached him for help with a neighbourhood dispute in 2009.
Hancock has persistently denied the allegation, which has been investigated by the Crown Prosecution Service and rejected. The woman is suing him in the high court, alleging that he also kissed her on several occasions without her consent, and is seeking damages of between £15,000 and £50,000.Hancock has persistently denied the allegation, which has been investigated by the Crown Prosecution Service and rejected. The woman is suing him in the high court, alleging that he also kissed her on several occasions without her consent, and is seeking damages of between £15,000 and £50,000.
The Lib Dem-led Portsmouth council, to which Hancock was elected as a councillor in 2010, is to appoint an independent figure to look at the allegation. The council does not have the power to force him to resign, but there would be renewed pressure on the party leadership to act if the complaint was upheld. The party would not welcome a byelection in a seat held at the 2010 election with a majority of 5,200 over the Conservatives.The Lib Dem-led Portsmouth council, to which Hancock was elected as a councillor in 2010, is to appoint an independent figure to look at the allegation. The council does not have the power to force him to resign, but there would be renewed pressure on the party leadership to act if the complaint was upheld. The party would not welcome a byelection in a seat held at the 2010 election with a majority of 5,200 over the Conservatives.
Hancock says he is recovering from serious surgery and cannot comment.Hancock says he is recovering from serious surgery and cannot comment.
The council refused to reveal the content of the complaint. The solicitor Michael Lawther said: "A sub-committee of Portsmouth city council today decided to refer a complaint against Cllr Mike Hancock for investigation.The council refused to reveal the content of the complaint. The solicitor Michael Lawther said: "A sub-committee of Portsmouth city council today decided to refer a complaint against Cllr Mike Hancock for investigation.
"The governance and audit and standards committee (assessment) sub-committee, made up of three councillors, considered evidence of a breach of the council's code of conduct and decided there was a case to answer. They made no judgment as to whether or not there had been a breach. I will now appoint an independent lawyer to carry out an investigation. We estimate the investigation will take two or three months. If a breach is proved against a councillor, they can be censured for their conduct.""The governance and audit and standards committee (assessment) sub-committee, made up of three councillors, considered evidence of a breach of the council's code of conduct and decided there was a case to answer. They made no judgment as to whether or not there had been a breach. I will now appoint an independent lawyer to carry out an investigation. We estimate the investigation will take two or three months. If a breach is proved against a councillor, they can be censured for their conduct."
The MP is alleged to have placed his hand on the woman's breast, exposed himself and kissed her on many occasions without consent, according to high court papers. His actions amounted to sexual assault, harassment and misfeasance in public office, it is alleged.The MP is alleged to have placed his hand on the woman's breast, exposed himself and kissed her on many occasions without consent, according to high court papers. His actions amounted to sexual assault, harassment and misfeasance in public office, it is alleged.
The claimant says evidence that may be presented to the court includes text messages sent by Hancock that described the woman as "sexy" and "my princess". It is claimed that he sent her gifts including House of Commons mints, wine, clothes and perfume. He also gave her a House of Lords teddy bear that he named Mike, it is alleged.The claimant says evidence that may be presented to the court includes text messages sent by Hancock that described the woman as "sexy" and "my princess". It is claimed that he sent her gifts including House of Commons mints, wine, clothes and perfume. He also gave her a House of Lords teddy bear that he named Mike, it is alleged.
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