Victoria Police yet to contact axed MP Will Fowles over sexual assault allegations

Sacked Labor MP Will Fowles hasn’t been contacted by police more than two months after explosive allegations of sexual assault were levelled against him.

Axed Labor MP Will Fowles is still yet to be contacted by Victoria Police more than two months after sexual assault allegations were launched against him.

The Ringwood MP, who was forced to resign from the Parliamentry Labor Party in August after the allegations against him surfaced, maintained his innocence in a statement on Saturday, saying he had not yet been spoken to by Victoria Police.

Mr Fowles said he had written to lower house Speaker MP Maree Edwards advising her he will would not be present in parliament until the investigation is finalised.

Will Fowles says he still has not been contacted by police following the alleged sexual assault. Picture: Supplied

“It is now 8 weeks since the former Premier referred an allegation to Victoria Police. I have not been spoken to by anyone regarding this false allegation,” he wrote.

“I have written to the Speaker today advising her that I will not be attending Parliamentary sitting days until such time as any investigation concludes.

“To be clear, I am not taking leave from my job. I’ll continue to work in my electorate and make representations on behalf of my constituents, whose many messages of support I have gratefully received.

“I will not be making any further comment.”

At a citizenship ceremony in Ringwood last week, Mr Fowles was overheard saying he was still to learn the precise nature of the allegations.

Sources who attended the event told the Saturday Herald Sun he also publicly criticised former premier Daniel Andrews’ handling of the matter, saying he had been denied natural justice.

Ringwood locals say, despite Mr Fowles absence from parliament, he has continued to carry out his duties locally.

In late August, Victoria Police confirmed they had opened an investigation into sexual assault allegations made against Mr Fowles after being notified of the matter by the state government.

A spokesperson told the Herald Sun on Saturday that police were not currently facilitating any interviews in relation to the matter but were continuing to investigate.

Will Fowles has accused Daniel Andrews of a political hit job. Source: Facebook

“Given the sensitive nature of this incident and now that it is subject to active investigation, we will not be providing any further commentary on the matter,” they said.

“Unless there is an outcome or significant update, we will not be providing any further information, including detailing or confirming any activities undertaken by investigators.

“We are also not facilitating any interviews in relation to this matter at this time.

The alleged serious incident is believed to have occurred at a city hotel.

In the weeks following the allegations, Mr Fowles – who has always strenuously denied the allegations – publicly accused Mr Andrews of a political hit job at an ALP branch meeting in Ringwood.

He told attendees that the situation had taken a toll on his mental health.

The former Premier was scathing of Mr Fowles when the allegations emerged, saying it was not acceptable for him to remain a member of the parliamentary Labor Party.

He also flagged the “safety of staff” as a priority, judging the complaint made by Mr Fowles as “credible”.