Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle denies fresh claims
A SECOND councillor has made new allegations of sexual harassment against Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, saying he tried to kiss her while they were in his office.
MELBOURNE Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is facing further claims of sexual harassment from a second councillor.
Melbourne City councillor, Cathy Oke, told an independent investigation that he tried to kiss her while they were in his office, according to Fairfax Media.
However, Mr Doyle has described the allegations levelled at him as “abhorrent” and has vowed to clear his name.
In December, the Lord Mayor announced he would step down from the mayoral role for a month following claims of sexual harassment and indecent behaviour.
Fairfax also claimed that Ms Oke told investigators that Mr Doyle clutched her thigh under a table in a separate incident in 2014.
She claims he grabbed her upper thigh under a table in a restaurant during interviews with the two final candidates for a position as the council’s chief executive.
The investigation began when City of Melbourne councillor Tessa Sullivan quit last month, citing sexual harassment.
She claims Doyle made lewd comments and once grabbed her breast, The Herald Sun reported.
It was also reported that he would hug and kiss her inappropriately and once told Ms Sullivan “I love cunnilingus”.
The newspaper also revealed a series of text messages yesterday between Ms Sullivan and Mr Doyle — which appear to be friendly and affectionate in tone — in one, she refers to the Lord Mayor as “Darl”.
Mr Doyle hit back at the harassment claims in a statement.
“[I] find the allegations detailed to me by media outlets thoroughly abhorrent, not only as Lord Mayor but as a father of young women, a husband, a brother and as the head of an office made up entirely of women,” he said.
“I welcome the investigation and will co-operate fully to clear my name.”
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