Doyle hints at split from new girlfriend

Former Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has hinted at a split from his young marketing professional girlfriend in the wake of his sexual harassment scandal.

Former Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is understood to have split from marketing professional Emma Hingston. Picture: Julian Smith

Former Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is understood to have split from his ‘new girlfriend Emma’.

Doyle went public with his relationship with media and marketing professional Emma Hingston in July last year following the end of his marriage to his second wife, Emma Page Campbell.

While Doyle, 67, and Hingston, aged in her 30s, were hardly a social circuit couple, it is understood their relationship ended recently — something he hinted at in two recent interviews.

Emma Page-Campbell initally stood by Doyle amid sexual misconduct allegations but the pair later split. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Doyle, who left his post as Lord Mayor of Melbourne 2018 under a cloud following allegations of inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment, broke his three years of silence with interviews with A Current Affair and 3AW’s Neil Mitchell last month.

He described his behaviour as “ugly” and deeply apologised for the anguish he had caused.

He said his actions had resulted in great personal loss.

“I’ve lost my family, I’ve lost love, I’ve lost relationships, I’ve lost friendships, I’ve lost health, I’ve lost reputation,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“But it’s not about Robert the victim.

“I’m not looking for any sympathy and certainly not any forgiveness. I’m sorry from the depths of my heart.”

Doyle said alcohol and arrogance were partly to blame for his actions.

“Alcohol is not an excuse for a lack of respect and a lack of appropriate behaviour and I fully accept that,” he said.

“I fully accept my actions causing offence. I try to be a better man every day. I still have a long way to go.”

When contacted on Friday about his split with Hingston, Doyle politely declined to comment explaining he no longer spoke to media.

[e-mail]