Moira Deeming ‘misunderstood’ headlock, will not apologise to Victorian Liberal colleague Matthew Guy
Liberal MP Moira Deeming will not apologize to Matthew Guy for claiming he left her unattended at a community event, despite admitting she did not understand the technical meaning of the term before complaining to police.
Speaking in a statement released by his lawyer on Monday, Deeming denied making a false complaint and said he would not apologize “for something he didn’t do”.
“My client instructs us to make it clear that he categorically denies any suggestion that his complaint is false and considers such allegations to be completely unfounded and highly defamatory,” attorney Tim Houweling said.
“The police’s decision not to pursue charges does not mean that the complaint was made without merit.”
Houweling said everyone should have the right to report without fear of reprisal and that Deeming’s allegations against Victoria Police were made “honestly, in good faith and only as a last resort”.
“Following unsuccessful attempts to resolve the incident confidentially and through the Liberal Party’s internal processes, senior Liberal Party officials advised Ms Deeming to report the matter to Victoria Police.”
Deeming had accused Guy of assaulting her with a headlock during a public dinner on May 23.
CCTV footage from inside the Macedonian community event shows Guy briefly placing his arm around Deeming’s shoulder as the pair leaned forward to hear each other in the middle of a crowded room.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and Guy called on Deeming to apologize after police confirmed they found no wrongdoing after investigating the complaint, including viewing footage.
Houweling said on Monday that he had been instructed that Deeming’s complaint to police matched his memory and understanding of the incident, and that he had only seen the footage after it was released to the media last week.
“He acknowledges that he misunderstood the technical meaning of the term ‘yoke’ but maintains that he used it in good faith to describe what happened,” he said.
“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.
“This incident was exacerbated by the fact that our client is a past victim of rape and sexual abuse and has PTSD from both this and events that have occurred over the past three-plus years.”
Houweling said CCTV footage showed Guy “grabbing her neck and upper shoulder area and pulling her towards him as she tried to pull away”.
Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush told 3AW on Friday that video footage taken inside the venue was decisive evidence for investigators.
“Mostly it’s a matter of perception, but we deal with reality and evidence. That’s what we made our decision on,” he said. “This is based primarily on public video… I think everyone has come to a similar conclusion.”
On Friday, Guy said there was no ambiguity in the security camera footage.
“I did not do what is alleged. CCTV proves it, it was that way all along and Victoria Police agrees,” he said at the time.
Wilson reiterated on Monday that Guy deserved an apology and said he had personally explained it to Deeming.
The opposition leader had previously said he would meet Deeming in person when he returned from a conference abroad.
Houweling said he accepted Deeming’s offer to meet with senior Liberals to “continue working towards an internal solution.”
There is broad consensus among Victorian Liberals that Deeming cannot remain in the party after this saga.
Several senior Liberal figures who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal party matters said: Age Deeming’s accusation exhausted the patience of even his staunchest supportersand was now completely isolated from the party.
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