Draft report into sexual harassment claims against Lord Mayor Robert Doyle completed, handed to his legal team

2.59PM: A REPORT into sensational sexual harassment allegations against Robert Doyle has been completed and its findings given to Melbourne City Council and the Lord Mayor’s legal team.

Robert Doyle. Picture: AAP

A REPORT into sensational sexual harassment allegations against Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has been completed.

The Herald Sun understands the report by top QC Dr Ian Freckelton has been handed to Cr Doyle’s legal team so that he can respond.

Former City of Melbourne councillor and Team Doyle member Tessa Sullivan has claimed that the Lord Mayor engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct toward her, including touching her breast during a car ride home.

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Cr Doyle, who is on leave pending the inquiry, has strongly denied any wrongdoing and fought hard to clear his name.

Asked about the report’s status, Dr Freckelton said today: “It’s pretty much there, you’ll need to speak to the (city council) CEO (Ben Rimmer) about it.”

“We’re right in the last phases, so it will come to a head very soon.”

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

Mr Doyle with Tessa Sullivan. Picture: David Caird

However, a council spokeswoman declined to comment on any aspect of the investigation, including the reporting process.

“Clearly, we would like the independent investigation completed as quickly as possible however the priority is ensuring the investigation and reporting process is appropriately thorough and conducted with fairness and natural justice afforded to all parties,” she said.

“It is not appropriate to set timelines, the process will take as long as it needs to take — consistent with ensuring fairness for all.”

It’s believed that a draft report has been provided to the Doyle legal team, with the Lord Mayor given up to 72 hours to respond to its contents.

Greens councillor Cathy Oke.

The affair has thrown City Hall into turmoil and into uncharted territory, with a new election needed for lord mayor if Cr Doyle quits or is removed.

Ms Sullivan’s claims included that the Lord Mayor hugged and kissed her inappropriately, and made a lewd comment in a Town Hall lift after a meeting.

The inquiry also looked into allegations that Cr Doyle inappropriately touched the thigh of Greens councillor Cathy Oke in 2014, and tried to kiss her in a separate incident.

The Lord Mayor, who is chairman of Melbourne Health, is also facing a claim that he acted inappropriately toward a woman at an awards ceremony held by the organisation in June 2016.

Several city councillors met today at Town Hall for the first time this year, and started preparing for their first official meeting of 2018, to be held next Tuesday.

Independent councillor Jackie Watts said it was “business as usual”.

“We’ll see how the next two weeks evolve,” she told the Herald Sun.

The meeting’s agenda will be released on Thursday, but it is not clear if it will initially include an item on the Doyle investigation

The affair has thrown City Hall into turmoil and into uncharted territory, with a new election needed for lord mayor if Cr Doyle quits or is removed.

Last week, 3AW broadcaster Neil Mitchell said that he had spoken to people close to the Lord Mayor who were concerned about his condition amid the claims and the inquiry.

“I’m told he is violently ill most days, that he’s crying at times and is anxious and paranoid,” Mitchell said.

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