New misconduct allegations emerge against Lord Mayor Robert Doyle

MORE allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, according to Ian Freckelton QC whose Town Hall probe will now have to be extended. Cr Doyle strongly denies the allegations against him.

MORE allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, according to Ian Freckelton QC whose Town Hall probe will now have to be extended.

Dr Freckelton confirmed to the Herald Sun that other complaints had emerged.

His inquiry began before Christmas and was due to be finalised this week but will now continue possibly into next month.

The nature and time of the new allegations is not known and the details are being investigated.

The new accusations include claims by a third woman who said Cr Doyle sexually harassed her at a Royal Melbourne Hospital black-tie dinner in 2016. Cr Doyle denies the allegations.

Cr Doyle, 64, was already facing Dr Freckelton’s probe into allegations he sexually harassed two female councillors.

Despite the deepening scandal, Cr Doyle last night affirmed his resolve to defend his name and reputation, with wife Emma Page-Campbell standing by him.

“I strongly deny the suggestion that I behaved in an inappropriate manner,’’ he said.

Gareth Goodier, who was Melbourne Health chief at the time of the black-tie event and had sat opposite Cr Doyle, spoke out in support of him.

“Robert, if anything, was subdued. I don’t remember him being intoxicated or inebriated in any way,’’ Dr Goodier said.

“He was performing his duties as chairman in a professional manner. I didn’t see anything unusual at all.’’

Cr Doyle had been accused by the wife of a senior specialist at Royal Melbourne Hospital of repeatedly touching her on the upper thigh, calling her husband a “stiff”, and telling her she would look good in the sheer, short dress being worn by a ­violinist who was performing at the event.

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A third woman is alleging Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle sexually harassed her. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

The husband of the alleged victim declined to comment when contacted yesterday by the Herald Sun.

Cr Doyle said he took his responsibilities as Melbourne Health chairman seriously, and strenuously denied every allegation, as well as any suggestion he had been drunk at the dinner.

Friends of the Lord Mayor said he believed he had been wronged and that his friendly personal style had been misinterpreted.

The latest allegation was ­initially made earlier this week to the inquiry being conducted by Dr Freckelton commissioned by the City of Melbourne.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy has ordered the second investigation. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

Cr Doyle will now have to defend himself both to that inquiry, which he is expected to do in the coming days, and the fresh probe ordered by Health Minister Jill Hennessy.

Charles Scerri, QC, has been appointed to run the new inquiry, reporting to the Department of Health. Ms Hennessy said: “I have asked the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to immediately commission an independent investigation into these matters.”

Sources said Cr Doyle continued to have the strong support of his wife, who has stood by him throughout the four weeks since the sexual harassment scandal first broke.

The Lord Mayor took leave from the council and Melbourne Health in December, in the days after claims of sexual misconduct were made by former councillor Tessa Sullivan

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle with ex-councillor Tessa Sullivan, who was the first to accuse him of sexual harassment. Picture: David Caird

Ms Sullivan, who was elected on the Team Doyle ticket in 2016, quit Town Hall and lodged a 24-page complaint about Cr Doyle alleging sexual harassment, indecent assault, and crude remarks.

She alleged Cr Doyle inappropriately hugged her on many occasions and groped her breast, and that he stared at her cleavage.

She alleges that on another occasion last October Cr Doyle told her “I love cunnilingus” while they were in a lift together at Town Hall.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle’s wife Emma Page Campbell is reportedly standing by her husband. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Submissions were also made that Greens councillor Cathy Oke was twice sexually harassed by Cr Doyle.

He is alleged to have touched her several times on her thigh during a meal at Lupino’s in Little Collins St in 2014, an event which was supposedly witnessed by then-councillor Stephen Mayne.

It has been alleged that on another occasion he tried to kiss her on the mouth while they were in his office after an evening council meeting.

Robert Doyle today doubled down on his denials amid the new allegations.

Cr Doyle was said to have ben intoxicated at the time of many incidents alleged.

Ms Sullivan’s position on council has been taken by former councillor and Team Doyle member Beverley-Pinder Mortimer after an election countback on Monday.

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Should Cr Doyle resign or be sacked, a by-election would have to be held to choose the city’s new civic leader.

Melbourne Health said it was supporting the family of a staff member since becoming aware of an incident at a 2016 function.

Councillor Cathy Oke alleged that Robert Doyle touched her on the thigh.

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“It is inappropriate to provide further comment while Dr Ian Freckelton, QC, conducts an independent investigation on behalf of the City of Melbourne,” it said.

“Melbourne Health is united against sexual harassment, assault or discrimination of any sort. Our community is, rightly, more and more empowered to stand up and call out incidents of sexual harassment both in the workplace and more widely. Melbourne Health extends its full support to anybody affected or impacted by harassment in its workplace or associated with the organisation.’’

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