Police dismiss assault claim after Liberal Party rocked following release of CCTV footage
Updated ,first published
Former Liberal leader Matthew Guy has demanded a public apology from his partyroom colleague Moira Deeming for making false attack claims against him.
It came after a Victoria Police investigation CCTV footage of a harmless interaction He had a conversation between Guy and Deeming at a community event last month and concluded Thursday that he didn’t have a case to answer.
He also said on Thursday he owed an apology to Prime Minister Jacinta Allan and Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, who sought to capitalize on the uproar caused by Deeming’s claims of political gain.
“They can come to me in an honorable and easy way, or in a more difficult way,” said Guy, who read a short statement from his lawyer that touched upon the allegations against him for the first time.
“My surname and reputation are not a political toy; they do not belong to anyone,” he said.
“There was no ambiguity. I did not do what was alleged.”
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson backed Guy and said he would discuss the issue with Deeming when he returned to Melbourne from London, where he attended a conservative political conference.
“Matthew deserves an apology,” he said. “I think it’s completely reasonable for him to want this. I’m devastated for Matthew.”
Guy left open the possibility of legal action against Deeming. His lawyer, Candice Almeida of Queenie Thompson Solicitors, said Guy had “suffered tremendous personal and professional harm” since Deeming first accused him of assault.
“False allegations have devastating consequences,” he said. “Even if the allegations turn out to be false, they can damage a person’s reputation, career, mental health and family life.”
Guy and Wilson’s comments will provide momentum for Deeming to be held accountable at both the parliamentary and executive levels of the Victorian Liberal Party for making false allegations about a colleague and potentially bringing the party into disrepute.
Deeming accused Guy of assaulting her by violently hitting her in the neck while the two were seated at a Macedonian mass dinner on May 23.
He made a formal complaint to the police on June 16. Victoria Police announced on Thursday that the investigation was complete and “no crime has been identified”.
Guy was not questioned by police as part of the investigation. Chief Superintendent Mike Bush told 3AW on Friday that video footage from inside the venue was decisive evidence.
“Often it’s a matter of perception, but we’re dealing with reality and evidence, and we made our decision based on that,” he said. “This is mainly based on video that is in the public domain.
“I think everyone has come to a similar conclusion.”
Guy told this imprint on Thursday night that Deeming’s allegations are ridiculous and unfounded.
Deeming claimed in text messages to colleagues that Guy roughly grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, comparing the force to smashing the base of his skull with a wine bottle.
CCTV footage from inside the venue shows Guy briefly placing his right hand on Deeming’s shoulder as the pair leaned in to chat in a crowded, noisy room.
“Police have completed their investigation following reports of an attack at an event venue on Sommerville Road in Sunshine West on 23 May,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“It was reported that a woman was beaten by a man during the event.
“Following a thorough investigation, it was determined that no crime was detected.”
Deeming has been contacted for response.
He has not publicly acknowledged the discrepancy between his version of events and the video footage.
A Liberal MP said there was “fiery anger” among colleagues about Deeming’s actions and they expected the party to take action.
“Doing nothing is not an option,” he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Even MPs who supported Deeming in his previous dispute with the party and former leader John Pesutto have now distanced themselves from the upper house MP who was recently re-elected as the Liberal candidate in the Western Metropolitan Region.
According to the Liberal Party constitution, any MP found to be bringing the party into disrepute will face expulsion from the party.
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Chip Le Grand leads our state politics reporting team. He had previously served as the newspaper’s chief correspondent and was a journalist with 30 years of experience.Connect via email.
