Hotel incident believed to be at centre of axed Ringwood MP probe

Police have confirmed they are investigating sexual assault claims made against Ringwood MP Will Fowles, with a CBD hotel believed to be at the centre of the probe.

New details have emerged over MP Will Fowles’ axing. Picture: Mark Stewart

Victoria Police have confirmed they are investigating sexual assault allegations made against state MP Will Fowles.

In a statement, police said detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad were investigating following a report of an incident in the Melbourne CBD.

“Police were initially notified of the matter by the state government and a formal investigation has now commenced,” a statement said.

“Given the sensitive nature of this incident and now that it is subject to active investigation, we will not be providing any further commentary on the matter.”

An alleged serious incident in a city hotel is believed to be at the centre of an investigation into axed MP Will Fowles.

It has been almost three weeks since the Ringwood MP was forced to resign from the parliamentary Labor Party.

The Herald Sun revealed on Friday that his alleged female victim has met with sex crime detectives.

While the woman is yet to make a sworn statement, sources close to the case said she had made a series of serious allegations against Mr Fowles, who strenuously denies the claims.

They had prompted police to begin making preliminary inquiries including gathering evidence, sources said.

“She met with sex crimes detectives within days of the incident but asked police to not use language in media responses that makes it obvious,” one source said.

“She’s disclosed what happened to them and they’ve started preliminary inquiries. She just hasn’t signed a statement.”

The circumstances around the allegations have remained shrouded in secrecy, with even senior government staffers unclear of the detail.

A complaint was first lodged with the Premier’s private office on Thursday, August 3.

Sources told the Herald Sun that the previous evening, in the hours before the alleged incident, Mr Fowles’ behaviour in the parliament bar was “super sleazy”, “rude” and “erratic”.

It was claimed, at one point the MP pulled a can of gin and tonic out of his pocket because he was frustrated at having to wait to be served at the bar.

The alleged victim was seen with Mr Fowles for some of the evening.

Will Fowles and Premier Daniel Andrews in October 2022. Picture: Supplied

It is understood they left the bar together before an incident at a city hotel.

Sources close to the Premier have urged the protection of the alleged victim’s identity.

The Herald Sun has chosen not to identify the name of the city hotel or the alleged victim’s connection to Mr Fowles or the government.

Following a two-day investigation the government referred the matter to Victoria Police.

Mr Andrews said at the time that the delay had allowed time for his office to make inquiries and have a chance to speak to the alleged victim to ensure their wishes were followed.

“Mr Fowles was (then) called in and informed that we had referred the matter to Victoria Police,” Mr Andrews said.

“His resignation was sought, it was received moments later, and a statement went out just a little bit (after) that.”

Speaking to the media on Friday, Mr Andrews said it would not be appropriate to comment on the police investigation.

Asked if Parliament’s bar should be closed in the wake of the incident, Mr Andrews said it is ultimately a matter for the speaker and president, but said alcohol should not be used as an excuse for bad behaviour.

“I will just say this – I’m speaking more broadly now … let’s be very careful not to slip into this kind of viewpoint that alcohol excuses everything,” he said.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to think when it comes to some of these matters, in a broader context, that alcohol is the only issue at play.

“People need to be responsible for their actions and I don’t think it’s quite as simple as (shutting the bar).

“In any event, I spend very little time at the bar, if any, and I don’t run that (bar).

“The notion that it’s ‘just the bar’, I think there are some broader issues at play in workplaces across the state, and we need to do more and we need to do better.”

Mr Andrews said parliament needed to be a safe workplace for everyone.

“This is not a footy trip. It’s not a place where you can behave differently to what would be expected in every other workplace,” he said.

“My approach is to be spending less time in the bar and more time working hard for the people of Mulgrave and the people of Victoria.

“If you want to go to the pub, then do that in your own time.”

Mr Fowles has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

“I was shocked and distressed to learn last night that an allegation of assault has been made against me,” he said on the Sunday after the incident.

“The details of the claim have not been put to me. I strenuously deny any allegation of assault. It is not true. There was no assault.

“I was asked to stand aside as a member of the Parliamentary Labor Party, a situation I expect will be temporary.”

He told a Ringwood ALP branch meeting this week that the situation had taken a toll on his mental health.

He has yet to confirm if he will remain an independent MP.

A resignation would force a by-election in Ringwood, which Labor won at last year’s state election with 57.5 per cent of the two party preferred vote.

Mr Fowles, who was elected in 2018, has previously been open about his struggles with depression and anxiety.