Labour staff member dead after suspension over 'porn allegations'
2 min read
Labour is facing fresh questions over its sexual misconduct investigation procedures after a staff member was found dead in an apparent suicide.
A man thought to be in his early thirties died suddenly last week after he was suspended from his job over alleged misconduct involving adult pornography.
It comes just two weeks after Welsh cabinet minister Carl Sargeant was found dead after an apparent suicide following his own suspension over claims that were never detailed to him.
Labour general secretary Iain McNicol announced the latest death to the man’s former colleagues at their Victoria office on Thursday, according to the Sunday Times.
A party spokesperson said: “A member of Labour party staff has died suddenly and unexpectedly. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and colleagues whose privacy must be respected. We will not be commenting further.”
But a source told the paper: “The person was suspended last week for porn-related allegations. An inquiry was in its early stages. No facts had been found nor was there any finding of guilt.”
Bassetlaw MP John Mann said Labour had an “amateurish” approach to investigating claims and demanded an independent body take control of the process.
“There isn’t a coherent means of dealing with any of this in any of the parties. The party needs to bring in external expertise and stop operating on a wing and a prayer,” he told the paper.
“There has not been enough support for people who are coming forward as victims and there has been no support for people where allegations have been made against them.”
QC Karon Monaghan is currently investigating a claim of rape by party activist Bex Bailey. Meanwhile MP Ivan Lewis was last week suspended and faces an investigation over misconduct claims.
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