Newshub can reveal the Labour Party has been forced to review an internal investigation into bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault by a Labour staffer. It follows complaints the investigation process was botched and traumatising for the alleged victims. At least four people have resigned from official party roles and cancelled their membership as a result. The complainants say the party’s done nothing to improve its processes since the sexual harassment allegations at last year’s Young Labour summer camp.
Learning from your mistakes is what people expect. It seems in this case Labour has not.
Seven party members and officials laid complaints this year accusing a senior Labour staffer of unacceptable behaviour ranging from bullying and intimidation to sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Their complaints were investigated in March and no disciplinary action was taken. The man’s lawyer says the allegations were untrue.
Seven different people laid complaints, and Labour’s response was they were all wrong?
Complainants have spoken of panic attacks, vomiting and having to take days off work because they were so scared of the staffer. At least four people have resigned from official party roles and cancelled their Labour membership. “We consider these people our family, our whānau, and it’s really disappointing to see how we’ve been treated,” the complainant said.
Yet Labour took no action?
As far back as August 2018, Labour Party president Nigel Haworth was informed the staffer told a woman she was elected within the party because she “would be nice to sleep with”. He was also told a senior ministerial staffer had warned an alleged victim that if she told anyone about the staffer’s behaviour she would be shut-down. “It’s really disappointing to see the Prime Minister’s Office standing by,” the complainant said. “They all knew and nothing’s happening.”
It isn’t clear if the person is a Labour Party staffer or someone who works for a Labour Minister or MP.
It wasn’t until July 5 when the party president emailed complainants explaining that no action would be taken and that “there is no appeal process”.
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