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‘Sexual misconduct’ by former Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle, report finds

Former Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle has been found to have committed ‘serious misconduct of a sexual nature’ toward a woman at a black-tie dinner.

Robert Doyle. Picture: AAP
Robert Doyle. Picture: AAP

Former Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle has been found to have committed “serious misconduct of a sexual nature” toward a woman at a black-tie dinner while serving as Melbourne Health chairman.

Mr Doyle, who denied any wrongdoing, was found to have acted in a “sleazy” manner, touching the complainant’s inner thigh, near her groin and lower back, according to the Department of Health report.

Charles Scerri QC, commissioned to investigate the incident, found Mr Doyle’s “conduct was unwelcome and caused the complainant serious distress”. In a summary of the final report, Mr Scerri writes that “the conduct varies in degree of seriousness”.

“Some of the conduct could be described as overfamiliar, rude, obnoxious or sleazy,” it read.

“In that category were inappropriate comments that Mr Doyle made about the complainant’s appearance.

“However, some of the conduct was ‘serious misconduct of a sexual nature’ within the scope of [the] investigation. This included touching the complainant’s inner thigh, close to her groin and the complainant’s lower back.”

Mr Doyle was lord mayor of Melbourne for almost 10 years before resigning amid allegations of sexual assault. The report states he declined to respond to allegations, citing health issues.

Joseph Lam
Joseph LamReporter

Joseph Lam is a technology and property reporter at The Australian. He joined the national daily in 2019 after he cut his teeth as a freelancer across publications in Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sexual-misconduct-by-former-melbourne-lord-mayor-robert-doyle/news-story/12df980fc413272b18462f09eeeed1b6