Timeline of the Robert Doyle harassment scandal

IN just seven weeks, the City of Melbourne has been rocked to its core by the sexual harassment scandal involving Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. Here is a timeline detailing every key date in the saga.

IN just seven weeks, the City of Melbourne has been rocked to its core by the sexual harassment scandal involving Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. Here is a timeline detailing every key date in the saga.

December 17 — Sunday Herald Sun exclusively reveals that Tessa Sullivan has resigned, alleging sexual harassment by a senior male Melbourne councillor. heraldsun.com.au exclusively names Mr Doyle as the alleged perpetrator about noon and reports he has stood down, pending an inquiry, but vowed to clear his name

December 18 — Herald Sun details the sexual harassment claims made by Ms Sullivan against Mr Doyle. Cr Cathy Oke is identified as a second alleged victim

LORD MAYOR ROBERT DOYLE QUITS TOWN HALL

SEVEN WEEKS OF ‘AGONY’: DOYLE’S WIFE

WHAT NEXT FOR TOWN HALL?

heraldsun.com.au exclusively named Mr Doyle as the alleged perpetrator on December 17. Picture: Julian Smith, AAP Image.

December 19 — Mr Doyle stands down as Melbourne Health chairman

December 20 — Doubts surface over Mr Doyle’s future, as councillors give evidence to inquiry

December 23 — The QC heading the investigation, Dr Ian Freckelton, says key players are under “considerable stress”

January 5 — Dr Freckelton interviews Mr Doyle

January 8 — A series of texts, given to the investigation, between Ms Sullivan and Mr Doyle are revealed. Friendly and affectionate in tone, Ms Sullivan refers to Mr Doyle as “Darl”

January 15 — Beverley Pinder-Mortimer is elected as Ms Sullivan’s council replacement

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

January 18 — Fresh allegations of sexual misconduct emerge against Mr Doyle in his role as Melbourne Health chairman. Health Department probe launched.

January 21 — Western Bulldogs supremo Susan Alberti and prominent businesswoman Sally Capp are named as possible candidates to run for Lord Mayor, if Mr Doyle resigns

January 24 — Team Doyle councillors Susan Riley and Beverley Pinder-Mortimer urge Cr Doyle to resign

February 2 — Town Hall says Mr Doyle is suffering “serious ill health” and the investigation will be extended

February 5 — Mr Doyle announces resignation

POLITICAL CAREER

1992 — Elected to state parliament as MP for Malvern

2002 — Became Opposition Leader but led the party to its worst-ever election defeat

2006 — Resigns as party leader and leaves parliament

2007 — Named Melbourne Health chairman

2008 — Elected Lord Mayor of Melbourne

2012 — Returned to Town Hall’s top job in a landslide victory

2016 — Re-elected for a record third term, becoming Melbourne’s longest-serving Lord Mayor