Liberal senator David Van has confirmed he moved offices after a complaint from independent Lidia Thorpe, but labelled her accusation as an 'utter abuse' of parliamentary privilege.
Senator Van has repeatedly denied Senator Thorpe's allegation of sexual assault.Senator Lidia Thorpe says she was followed, propositioned and touched in Parliament, the day after she withdrew an allegation she was sexually assaulted by Liberal counterpart David Van.
But speaking to the Senate on Thursday, Senator Thorpe said she withdrew the remark because Senate rules do not allow senators to speak about someone else’s character.While not naming Senator Van directly, Senator Thorpe said she had been followed and propositioned in Parliament. She said no one witnessed the alleged incident because there are no cameras in Parliament’s stairwells. She thanked her then-party, the Greens, for support they offered her at the time.
Senator Van said Senator Thorpe never raised any issue with him in person, saying he was "shocked" when he learned of the claim.
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