‘Should go’: Nationals leader David Littleproud says embattled Liberal senator David Van should resign

The leader of the Nationals has made a stunning call on what embattled Liberal senator David Van should do next.

The leader of Nationals has called on embattled Liberal senator David Van to quit parliament in the wake of multiple sexual harassment allegations, as the senator denies any wrongdoing.

Speaking on Weekend Today, David Littleproud said that as Senator Van is no longer a member of the Liberal Party, he should resign from his position in the Upper House.

Mr Littleproud’s comments echo that of Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who told 2GB Radio on Friday that it is in “everyone’s best interests” for Mr Van to leave parliament.

Senator Van has repeatedly denied all the allegations made against him, and has issued a letter in which he criticised the Liberal Party for not affording him due process in relation to the allegations.

Nationals leader David Littleproud has told Weekend Today under-fire Victorian senator David Van should quit parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Littleproud said senators were elected as members of their party, not as individuals.

“(If) you’re going to resign from the party, you weren’t elected as an individual. You’re elected above the line for the party itself,” he said.

“He was elected to the Liberal Party.

(Mr Van) wants to remove himself from the Liberal Party, and then he should probably also remove himself from the Senate.”

Mr Littleproud said he was “shocked” by the allegations against his fellow parliamentary colleague.

“That’s not the normal behaviour in that building.”

Multiple women have accused senator David Van (pictured) of sexual harassment, allegations he has denied. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Speaking under parliamentary privilege in the Upper House on Wednesday, independent Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe accused Mr Van of being a “perpetrator.”

Senator Van responded by saying he “utterly rejected” the allegations.

Mr Dutton removed the Senator from the Liberal Party room on Thursday after he said more allegations against Mr Van had been brought to his attention.

One of them was brought by former Queensland Liberal senator, Amanda Stoker, who detailed an alleged incident involving Mr Van at a workplace event in 2020.

Mr Van resigned from the Liberal Party over the weekend.

In a stinging letter in response to the allegations, Mr Van said: “Given the Liberal Party’s wholesale disregard for due process and natural justice in relation to the allegations made against me, I write to resign my membership effective immediately.”

“I cannot remain a member of a party that tramples upon the very premise on which our justice system is predicated,” he said.

“This is a travesty of justice and I reiterate that I deny the allegations against me.”

Originally published as ‘Should go’: Nationals leader David Littleproud says embattled Liberal senator David Van should resign