Team Doyle member Beverley Pinder-Mortimer wins countback for Tessa Sullivan’s spot

A COUNCIL replacement for Tessa Sullivan has been declared after a countback of the 2016 vote, following the sexual harassment scandal that rocked Town Hall.

FORMER Melbourne councillor and Team Doyle member will replace Tessa Sullivan after a countback, following the sexual harassment scandal that rocked Town Hall.

Beverley Pinder-Mortimer won the countback for the city councillor position, which was held by the Victorian Electoral Commission this morning.

She accepted the position soon after.

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Beverley Pinder-Mortimer has won a spot at Melbourne Town Hall after a countback from the 2016 votes.

Ms Pinder-Mortimer, a public relations executive, served on the council from 2012 to 2016.

She said she hoped to bring stability and certainty to the position.

“I look forward to working with my fellow councillors as we seek to restabilise the council

and ensure Melbourne remains the world’s most liveable city delivering the best outcomes

for our city and and the community,’’ Ms Pinder-Mortimer said.

Councillors return for official business in three weeks at the Future Melbourne meeting.

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Lord Mayor Robert Doyle with former councillor Tessa Sullivan. Picture: David Caird

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The position became vacant when Ms Sullivan resigned from the council on December 15, lodging with council management a 24-page claim of sexual harassment against Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.

Ms Sullivan, 34, was elected on the Team Doyle ticket in 2016 and chaired the People City portfolio, which included the key issue of homelessness.

Ms Sullivan, a lawyer, has alleged Cr Doyle sexually ­harassed and indecently assaulted her, including grabbing her breast, staring at her ­cleavage and making sexually loaded remarks.

Another councillor, Cathy Oke, has also told an inquiry — expected to be finalised this week — of two incidents in which Cr Doyle allegedly acted inappropriately.

Cr Doyle has denied all the allegations.