Department of Health report inconclusive on Robert Doyle sexual harassment allegations

AN investigation into claims Robert Doyle sexually harassed a woman at a Royal Melbourne Hospital black tie dinner has failed to reach any conclusions due to the former Lord Mayor’s ill health.

AN investigation into claims Robert Doyle sexually harassed a woman at a Royal Melbourne Hospital black tie dinner has failed to reach any conclusions due to the former Lord Mayor’s ill health.

Details of the final independent report by Mr Charles Scerri QC released today state that Mr Doyle’s inability to respond to claims he sexually assaulted the wife of a hospital practitioner prevent findings being made.

It has also been revealed that the Department of Health investigation was aware two other women connected to Melbourne Health with allegations against Mr Doyle, but who declined to make a formal complaint due to concerns for their confidentiality.

NEW MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ROBERT DOYLE

ADVERSE FINDINGS AGAINST FORMER LORD MAYOR

Former Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

In the brief executive summary of his report, Mr Charles Scerri QC said allegations Mr Doyle touched the complainant’s inner thigh during a July 2016 awards ceremony represented serious misconduct of a sexual nature, but could not be adequately tested.

“Mr Scerri has no reason to doubt, and at present does not doubt, the veracity of the complainant,” the report’s executive summary states.

“However, because of ill health, Mr Doyle has been unable to respond to the allegations.

“In the absence of any response from Mr Doyle, Mr Scerri is not able to reach, and has not reached, any conclusions about the allegations.”

Former Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is alleged to have sexually harassed a woman at a Royal Melbourne Hospital black tie dinner in 2016 Picture: Josie Hayden

In a letter accompanying the report sent to the Department of Health secretary, Mr Scerri said Mr Doyle’s “very high public profile” and publicity surrounding other complaints against the former Lord Mayor exacerbated complainants concerns about coming forward with their own allegations.

“In my investigation, I was told about two other women who had made allegations against Mr Doyle. Both declined to make a complaint, either to Melbourne Health or me,” Mr Scerri said.

“I have not spoken to either person directly, but it seems that a concern about confidentiality was a factor that deterred them from making a complaint.”

ACCUSER’S ‘FINAL STATEMENT’ ON DOYLE MATTER

Mr Doyle was chair of Melbourne Health at the time of the alleged incident but stepped aside following claims about his conduct as Melbourne Lord Mayor as well as in his role at the health service.

The release of the Health Department’s investigation comes a month after an explosive City of Melbourne report found Mr Doyle sexually harassed two councillors, including that he touched the breast of former councillor Tessa Sullivan in the mayoral car.