Decision on unapologetic Liberal MP’s future imminent
The political future of the state’s Liberal MP, who blames his party’s former leader for getting him into a tailspin, will be decided.
Last week it was revealed that Moira Deeming had filed a police report alleging she was assaulted by Matthew Guy at a gala dinner on May 23.
Ms Deeming accused her colleague of “violently” subduing her, but has since claimed she misunderstood the meaning of the yoke.
Victoria Police said on Thursday that “no crime was identified” after reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.
Shadow attorney general James Newbury said a decision on Ms Deeming’s future in the Liberal Party was imminent.
“A demand was made for him to make an unconditional apology. He refused to do so,” Mr Newbury told reporters on Tuesday.
“So further action needs to be taken and the party is currently working on that.”
He said an apology was not too much, given Ms Deeming’s description of the language used in her complaint.
“I think any good person could apologize,” he said.
“Matt has had a very, very difficult few days and the right thing would be an apology, an unconditional apology.”
A statement issued on behalf of Ms Deeming by her lawyer Tim Houweling said her complaint had been made “honestly, in good faith and only as a last resort”.
Mr Houweling referred to CCTV footage showing Mr Guy sitting at a table and talking to Ms Deeming and another man.
The former leader appears to place a hand on Ms. Deeming’s upper back or shoulder area and pull her to say something before making a similar gesture with the man.
The barrister said Mr Guy maintained his grip as Ms Deeming tried to pull away, preventing her from moving her head freely for several seconds.
“Our client argues, without attributing any reason to the other party, that, from his perspective, this physical contact by a senior male colleague at work was unexpected, unwelcome, physically painful and caused him to feel fear and confusion,” he said.
Mr Guy had demanded a public apology from Ms Deeming and said her surname and reputation were “not a political toy”.
“There was no ambiguity. I did not do what was alleged. CCTV proves that. It was that way from the beginning and Victoria Police agrees,” he told reporters on Friday.
“Moira Deeming owes me a public apology.”
