A Labour MP has denied groping a party member’s bottom at the autumn conference in Brighton in September.
The party is investigating a formal complaint about Norwich South MP Clive Lewis, who served as Shadow Defence Secretary and Shadow Business Secretary.
The sexual assault was alleged to have happened at the same event where Mr Lewis jokingly told the actor Sam Swann: “On your knees, bitch!”
Mr Lewis later apologised for the phrase after an outcry, including criticism from the party and fellow MPs.
He has been accused of groping the 39-year-old woman at a World Transformed event which was organised by Momentum, the campaign group that supports Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, during the party conference.
The party said yesterday: “The Labour Party is investigating a formal complaint made today against Clive Lewis.”
According to The Independent, which first reported the claim, is understood that the allegations, Mr Lewis grasped the woman’s bottom as he gave her a tight hug at the event.
The woman told Independent: “We had a hug and while we were having a hug he gave my bum a big squeeze.
“My friend who was there, a fellow delegate … me and him looked at each other and our eyebrows went ‘whoaaa’.
“You kind of jump. I didn’t feel grossed out. I definitely laughed. It felt like if you are hugging a mate. I don’t know. It was over familiar. I had never met him before.”
Lewis told the newspaper: “I wouldn’t do that to someone. It’s not what I do. It’s not my style. It’s not how I roll. I do not do that.
“They have made the allegation and I totally refute it. If someone hugs me, I hug them back. I would completely deny it.”
Unsurprising from this man. He’s always been very vuglar and said comments unbecoming of someone of his status. These latest allegations should finally put to bed that this man is in any way suitable for any form of leadership office within Labour or the country.
To REFUTE means to disprove by showing evidence: what Handy Clive is attempting to do with this blustering response is to REPUDIATE the allegation. He could at least use the correct word when he lies.