‘Sleazy’ Doyle touched woman at black tie dinner: report
Robert Doyle engaged in “sleazy” behaviour by touching a woman at a black-tie dinner in 2016, a report has found.
Victoria
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Former lord mayor Robert Doyle had engaged in “sleazy” behaviour and “serious misconduct of a sexual nature” by touching a woman at a black-tie dinner in 2016, a report has found.
It said that Mr Doyle’s conduct at the Melbourne Health dinner varied in seriousness, with some of his behaviour described as overfamiliar, rude, and obnoxious.
Mr Doyle, who was Melbourne Health chairman at the time, was seated beside Kharla Williams who attended the event with her husband Professor Mark Walterfang who received an award on the night.
The Department of Health and Human Services commissioned Charles Scerri, QC, to investigate the matter and he issued an interim report.
A summary of the final report has now been released into the behaviour.
“This included touching the complainant’s inner thigh, close to her groin and the complainant’s lower back,” it said.
“Mr Scerri also found that the relevant conduct was unwelcome and caused the complainant serious distress.”
The report said that Mr Doyle continued to claim that due to his ill health he was unable to respond to the allegations.
“Mr Scerri considers that it is relevant that the allegations have been the subject of a great deal of publicity. Mr Scerri does not accept that Mr Doyle’s solicitors are unable to discuss the allegations with Mr Doyle and obtain any instructions from him,” it said.
The report said the complainant, Ms Williams, appeared to be an honest and sincere witness and had no reason to lie about these matters.
Mr Doyle resigned as lord mayor in early 2018 after then councillor Tessa Sullivan made several claims of sexual harassment against him.
Ms Sullivan accused Mr Doyle of a series of vulgar interactions, alleging he made sexually loaded comments and touched her inappropriately.
In a 27-page statement of complaint she accused Mr Doyle of giving her strange side hugs, staring at her breasts and commenting on her clothes.
A report done for the council by Ian Freckelton, QC, confirmed four findings against the former Lord Mayor, including that in 2017 he touched Ms Sullivan’s breast in the mayoral car, an allegation he has denied.
Two findings related to Greens councillor Cathy Oke, including a claim Mr Doyle had inappropriately touched her on the thigh during a dinner in December 2014.
A fourth concerned Mr Doyle’s “substantial” consumption of red wine, which the probe said had been a significant factor in his inappropriate behaviour.
Mr Doyle has denied any wrongdoing.
FROM MAYOR TO DESPAIR
DECEMBER 17, 2017
Sunday Herald Sun reveals Tessa Sullivan has resigned, alleging sexual harassment by a senior Melbourne councillor.
Mr Doyle is named by heraldsun.com.au as the alleged perpetrator and reports he has stood down
DECEMBER 18, 2017
Herald Sun details sexual harassment claims made by Ms Sullivan against Mr Doyle. Cr Cathy Oke is identified as a second alleged victim
DECEMBER 19, 2017
Mr Doyle stands down as Melbourne Health chairman
JANUARY 18, 2018
Fresh allegations of sexual misconduct emerge against Mr Doyle in his role as Melbourne Health chairman. Health Department probe launched
FEBRUARY 4, 2018
Mr Doyle resigns
MARCH 2018
Interim report on Mr Doyle is delivered to City of Melbourne, but he is unable to respond “due to ill health”.
MARCH 12, 2018
Freckelton report into sexual harassment and misconduct allegations against Mr Doyle makes four adverse findings against him
FEBRUARY 6, 2019
Victoria Police confirms it is investigating Mr Doyle over “historical sexual assault matters”
JUNE 25, 2020
The sex-offences investigation into the former lord mayor Robert Doyle has been closed and no charges will be laid against him
JULY 6, 2020
Supplementary investigation report by Ian Freckelton QC released. It says Mr Doyle had no justification for the opportunistic behaviour
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