Sex claim saga: Robert Doyle harassment probe distracts council

ROBERT Doyle’s sexual harassment investigation has raised concern that it is distracting the council from running the city, as business groups demand the situation be resolved.

ROBERT Doyle’s sexual harassment investigation has raised concern that it is distracting the council from running the city, as business groups demand the situation be resolved.

The Lord Mayor’s future remains under a cloud, with concerns that it will delay projects and important council work.

Cr Doyle’s future may become clearer at a council meeting on February 6, which is expected to discuss the investigation.

But the probe has been delayed as more women come forward to raise concerns about his alleged behaviour.

Four women, including constituent Dianne Mallas who claims Cr Doyle touched her leg and brushed her thigh in 1997, have so far lodged complaints.

TEXTS PROMPT DRAMATIC TWIST IN LORD MAYOR SCANDAL

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

But the Sunday Herald Sun can reveal that the Liberal Party is not investigating Cr Doyle, despite one of the allegations arising from when he was an MP.

A Liberal Party source said they hoped Cr Doyle would receive natural justice.

“The party thinks he’s been unfairly treated, he was saying for weeks that he wanted to see what the allegations were against him,” the source said.

“All he knew was what was being reported in the newspapers. No one appreciates a trial by media.”

Danni Addison, Victorian president of the Urban Development Institute of Australia, said the situation should be resolved thoroughly, but quickly.

“If the council isn’t working then the city can’t keep functioning,” she said.

“Any delays in decision making is never good for business for whatever reason is involved.”

Cr Doyle did not return calls to the Sunday Herald Sun but has been strenuously denying any wrongdoing.

LORD MAYOR’S FUTURE QUESTIONED AS PROBE BEGINS

Cr Doyle with Tessa Sullivan who has accused him of sexual harassment. Picture: David Caird

He has been under significant pressure to resign since this newspaper broke the story of the allegations last month but has refused to stand down.

Councillors Susan Riley and Beverley Pinder-Mortimer, members of his own “Team Doyle” group, have said publicly he should leave the job.

Ms Riley told CBD News last week that Cr Doyle should quit “gracefully” to deal with “health issues”.

It comes after the Sunday Herald Sun revealed last week that councillors were considering potential replacements, including ex-West­ern Bulldogs vice-resident Susan Alberti.

An inquiry by Ian Freckelton, QC, is continuing.

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