Lord Mayor Robert Doyle suffering ‘serious ill health’, investigation delayed

LORD Mayor Robert Doyle is believed to be on the verge of an emotional collapse, throwing an investigation into serious allegations against him into further turmoil.

LORD Mayor Robert Doyle is believed to be on the verge of an emotional collapse, throwing an investigation into serious allegations against him into further turmoil.

Sources close to the Lord Mayor said the 64-year-old, who is considering an interim report from the investigation into sexual harassment allegations, was suffering severe physical and mental effects.

“Those close to him are very concerned for him,” a source told the Herald Sun.

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It is believed that the Lord Mayor had been due to respond to the findings of Ian Freckelton, QC, this week.

But he has been unable to do so, given his condition, and his lawyers requested a deferral. Melbourne City Council on Friday announced there would be an extension owing to his “serious ill health”.

Former Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons, a good friend of Cr Doyle who has helped him through a previous personal crisis, said on Twitter: “Sad to hear ! #getwellsoon”.

Robert Doyle with wife Emma Page-Campbell in Flinders Lane. Picture: Nicole Garmston

City CEO Ben Rimmer said it was now likely that the investigation would report in two stages, interim and final.

“We support the Lord Mayor’s focus on his health and we are very hopeful that he makes a full and speedy ­recovery,” he said.

“We recognise that the investigative process has been extremely stressful for all parties and their families, despite the best efforts of the City of Melbourne and the independent investigation.”

While no details of the findings have been released, the council said no “concerns about the conduct of any person other than the Lord Mayor have been identified as requiring investigation”.

The investigation was triggered after Team Doyle member Tessa Sullivan resigned from council in December, and accused the Lord Mayor of sexually inappropriate conduct, which included a claim that he touched her breast during a car ride home.

It’s believed Cr Doyle was due to respond to the report’s findings this week. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Cr Doyle strongly denied wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name.

Councillors will meet on Tuesday to consider a management report arising from Dr Freckelton’s interim findings.

Management has already begun reviewing council policies on sexual harassment, alcohol and drug use, and other health and safety matters.

City of Melbourne chief executive Ben Rimmer. Picture: Kris Reichl

The management report said a concern that must be addressed was that while the CEO was accountable for workplace health and safety, in matters pertaining to councillors’ conduct, the CEO was unable to “control, influence or mitigate councillor behaviour”.

“In the current circumstances, we have had to rely on the goodwill of a councillor ... to absent themselves from the workplace voluntarily for the duration of that investigation,” the report said.

The council will also urge the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to work with the state government to address “potential challenges” that face councils generally in dealing with sexual harassment claims.

Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz and chief municipal inspector David Wolf have been advised of the status of the investigation.

Ms Kairouz said: “These are extremely serious allegations and the government fully supports the independent investigation into this matter.

“As the investigation is underway, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

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