Labour accused of breaking a promise to an alleged victim of sexual​ harassment

Labour has been accused of breaking a promise to an alleged victim of sexual​ harassment by delaying the outcome of an inquiry relating to her case until the New Year. Ava Etemadzadeh, a Labour activist, told The Daily Telegraph that Kelvin Hopkins sent her an inappropriate text message and rubbed his crotch against her. Mr Hopkins vehemently denies this.

Kerry McCarthy, the MP for East Bristol, subsequently revealed that she received unwanted attention from Mr Hopkins in the mid-1990s. Ms Etemadzadeh said she was originally told by Labour she would learn about the outcome of the inquiry relating to her case tomorrow. However she has now learned that she won't be informed until January 12.

An inquiry was launched in November after she made an official complaint against the MP.

She has accused the party of failing to show "respect, seriousness and transparency" in handling her complaint of inappropriate behaviour.

Ms Etemadzadeh, 27, claims that the 76-year-old Luton North MP acted inappropriately and sent her suggestive text messages after they met at a student event in 2014 - something which he categorically denies.

After it was revealed that the case would not be concluded until the New Year, Ms Etemadzadeh said: "It is deeply disappointing that after my original complaint back in 2015, the party still doesn't know how to handle those making complaints with respect, seriousness and transparency.

"We've already learnt that Jeremy Corbyn was willing to promote Kelvin Hopkins despite knowing that these outstanding allegations of sexual harassment existed against him.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/13/labour-accused-breaking-promise-alleged-victim-sexual-harassment/