Lidia Thorpe sensationally withdraws sexual assault claim against David Van

Lidia Thorpe says she will make a statement today after she withdrew allegations in parliament that Senator David Van sexually assaulted her.

Lidia Thorpe has sensationally withdrawn allegations that a Liberal senator “sexually assaulted” her just hours after the claim sparked uproar in parliament.

Senator Thorpe withdrew the remarks last night following the intervention of the Senate President.

“Earlier today I made some comments in relation to another Senator,” she said.

“In order to comply with the parliamentary standing orders I withdraw those remarks.

“For the information of the Senate I will make a further statement on the matter tomorrow.”

In extraordinary scenes on Wednesday, Senator Thorpe interrupted Senator Van’s speech reflecting on the handling of Brittany Higgins’ text leaks.

“I just want to relay that I’m feeling really uncomfortable when a perpetrator is speaking about violence,’’ she said.

“This person harassed me, sexually assaulted me, and the prime minister had to remove him from his office,” she said.

“And to have him talking about this today is an absolute disgrace! On the whole party!”

Senator Van was left visibly distressed and stunned by the comments, telling parliament “it is simply not true”.

Lidia Thorpe has accused Liberal senator David Van of sexually assaulting her and being ‘a perpetrator’ under parliamentary privilege.

In extraordinary scenes, David Van (pictured) was left visibly distressed and stunned by the allegation, telling parliament it was ‘it is simply not true’.

Deputy Senate President Andrew McLachlan said the comments were “inappropriate” and asked Ms Thorpe to withdraw them. Ms Thorpe declined to do so for several hours.

In a statement made after the shocking scenes in parliament Senator Van said: “In the Chamber today Senator Thorpe made unfounded and completely untrue allegations against me that I immediately and unequivocally denied and continue to deny.

“These outrageous and reprehensible comments were made by Senator Thorpe using parliamentary privilege in the most malicious and despicable way.

“My lawyers have written to her already making my position clear in the strongest possible

terms.”

Assistant Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said the entire exchange was “quite upsetting”.

Last year, Senator Van issued an “unreserved apology” after he was accused of making growling dog noises at Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie.

Mr Van denied he was making an animal noise but said he interjected while Ms Lambie was speaking and that was not appropriate.

Senator David Van at the Midwinter Ball with his partner Nerilee. Picture: Facebook

“I was just interjecting with a gruff voice and I think with the mask and everything, in all the noise that was going on, it was that,’’ Mr Van said.

“It was in no way an animal noise or meant to be disrespectful to (her) in any sort of gendered way.”

Asked why he was interjecting he replied: “Just Jacqui being Jacqui.”

He was then asked if he was mocking the way she spoke.

“No, I was not mocking her voice. I was doing an angry voice. I misbehaved and I’ll leave it at that. It was just the heat of Question Time. It wasn‘t an animal noise. I’ve got a deep voice. With a mask on it came up.”

Originally published as Lidia Thorpe sensationally withdraws sexual assault claim against David Van