Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and supporters ‘blindsided’ by sexual harassment allegations

THE supporters of Lord Mayor Robert Doyle say they are “blindsided” by councillor Tessa Sullivan’s bombshell allegations, with a council insider putting a different interpretation of the duo’s working relationship.

JUST a few weeks ago, all seemed fine between Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and one of his “star” councillors, Tessa Sullivan.

Ms Sullivan, 33, had invited Cr Doyle and his wife, Emma Page Campbell, to a Christmas lunch for Team Doyle councillors at Yering Station winery in the Yarra Valley.

It was to be a lavish affair, including a helicopter flight from the city.

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But the lord mayor declined, so as to prepare for a council trip to London to discuss anti-terrorism measures.

The Doyle camp says Ms Campbell went, but Ms Sullivan, who’d been insistent that the lord mayor also come to the event, was very disappointed by his absence.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle with wife Emma Page Campbell. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

More recently, Ms Sullivan attended a lunch thrown by the Lady Mayoress Committee and was seen apparently chatting amiably with Cr Doyle and his wife.

The lord mayor’s supporters say this was evidence of “business as usual”, and say they are “blindsided” by Ms Sullivan’s bombshell allegations against her boss of a pattern of sexual harassment and even an incident of sexual assault involving her breast being touched.

Ms Sullivan has claimed Cr Doyle would comment on her clothing, hug and kiss her, and display affection inappropriate for a work environment.

However, a council insider has put a different interpretation on such behaviour, saying that though the lord mayor would often put his arm around Ms Sullivan, it was in a “supportive way’’.

He would also show innocent signs of affection by kissing the top of her head.

Allegations of sexual assault and of using sexually explicit language towards her are categorically denied.

Doyle supporters also point out that his office staff are almost entirely women, and none of them have alleged sexual harassment.

They seem genuinely perplexed Ms Sullivan could have made such damaging claims against a man whom they see as decent and loyal.

When the lord mayor launched his third-term campaign in August 2016, Ms Sullivan, a lawyer, was third on his new-look seven-person ticket.

In recognition of her potential and talent, Ms Sullivan was placed above former deputy mayor Susan Riley on the ticket.

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Lord Mayor Robert Doyle with his election team, which included Tessa Sullivan. Picture: David Caird

Cr Doyle said then that the otherwise unknown candidate would add “freshness” to the council.

She had brought in $25,000 in campaign ­donations, plus more from her Toorak connections.

After being elected, she was given the job of chairing the People City portfolio, which covers family services, community care and affordable housing.

But the brief also includes the thorny problem of homelessness in the CBD, which Cr Doyle had made one of his election priorities.

Some councillors say that Ms Sullivan struggled with the issues and distrusted the media.

This was particularly the case after a local newspaper criticised her performance, and said that the only contribution she had made to the city council had been the donation to the Team Doyle election campaign.

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