Ivan Lewis: Labour MP under investigation following sexual harassment allegation

In a statement published on Wednesday, the party said it was now investigating the Bury South MP after the receipt of a formal complaint

Mr Lewis had denied allegations he made sexual advances towards a 19-year-old woman (Rex)

Ivan Lewis, a Labour MP, is being investigated by the party over alleged sexual harassment following the submission of a formal complaint.

Mr Lewis, a former shadow minister under Ed Miliband, had denied allegations earlier this month that he made sexual advances towards a 19-year-old woman.

The allegation, reported by Buzzfeed, claimed that Mr Lewis had repeatedly touched the woman’s leg and invited her back to his house when she was a student attending a Labour party event seven years’ ago.

In a statement published on Wednesday, the party said it is now investigating the Bury South MP after the receipt of a formal complaint.

“The Labour party takes all allegations of sexual harassment extremely seriously and complains are investigated in line with our robust procedures,” a spokesperson added.

It is understood that Mr Lewis has not been suspended by the party and continues to take the Labour whip.

In a statement to Buzzfeed, Mr Lewis’s lawyer added: “Mr Lewis has previously acknowledged that on some occasions his innovations to people he works with to join him for dinner or drinks have made them feel uncomfortable.

“He apologises if this caused them discomfort and if he underestimated the impact his invitations to drinks or dinner could have.

“He has always sought to behave with integrity and is genuinely sorry if he got it wrong in some circumstances. He fully supports the rights of women to raise these issues, and stresses his commitment to equality and fairness in the workplace.”