Former Victorian Liberal leader demands apologies after assault allegation quashed by police
Former Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy has demanded an apology from fellow MP Moira Deeming after a police investigation concluded he did not assault her at a community event in Melbourne’s west last month.
A police complaint was filed by Deeming on June 16, claiming she was put in a headlock at the Sunshine West function on May 23.
An aggrieved Matthew Guy today fronted the media, demanding public apologies from Deeming, as well as Premier Jacinta Allan and Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, who both made comments on the allegations yesterday. 9News
CCTV footage which has circulated from the gathering, failed to capture an assault but appeared to show the pair leaning into each other and Guy placing his hand on Deeming’s back, seemingly to be better heard in the busy room.
Victoria Police confirmed overnight it had concluded an investigation into the alleged assault, finding “there was no offence detected”.
“It was reported a woman was assaulted by a man at an event,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
“The woman did not require medical attention, and the incident was reported to police on 16 June.
“Following a thorough investigation, it has been determined there was no offence detected. Investigators have engaged with the woman who made the report.”
A Victoria Police investigation found no assault was detected at the event Deeming and Guy attended as guests. Supplied
Both Guy and Deeming shied from media requests yesterday, while party leader Jess Wilson offered a brief three-line statement declining to make further comment while the police investigation remained active.
But an aggrieved Guy today fronted the media, demanding public apologies from Deeming, as well as Premier Jacinta Allan and Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, who both made comments on the allegations yesterday.
“They can come to me the honourable and easy way or a harder way,” Guy said.
The frontbencher said his family had been “deeply hurt” by the allegations.
“My wife, my sons, my parents, my brother, my cousin, my family who share my name deserve those apologies as well,” Guy said.
“My family name, my reputation, is not a political toy. No one’s is.
“And so I want, and my family deserves, those apologies, particularly from Moira Deeming.”
Deeming filed the complaint with Victoria Police on June 16. Joe Armao
Kilkenny had demanded Wilson address her knowledge of the “serious allegations”.
“If these subjects of the allegations are members of [Jess Wilson’s] caucus, is it appropriate that the alleged offender sits in her party room?” Kilkenny asked.
The attorney-general doubled down on those allegations today after learning of the conclusion of the police investigation.
She said she had not seen the CCTV footage of the interaction between Deeming and Guy.
“Silence is not leadership and there are still questions for Jess Wilson to answer. When did she know about these allegations? Who does she believe and is she going to refer this matter to the Parliamentary Integrity Commission?” Kilkenny said.
Guy slammed the wider response to Deeming’s allegation, claiming “every Australian male over 40 seems to be blamed, scapegoated, not believed and now thrown under the bus”.
“There was no ambiguity. I did not do what was alleged. The CCTV proves this, it did from the start and Victoria Police agree,” Guy said.
“To Aussie males who are sick of this treatment, who are sick of not being believed, some of us in parliament still have your back. I have your back.
“You shouldn’t have to prove your innocence.”
Wilson today said she supported Guy’s request for an apology from Deeming.
Victorian Liberal Leader Jess Wilson today said she supported Guy’s request for an apology from Deeming 9News
“Matthew does deserve an apology. I think it is entirely reasonable that he has asked for that,” she said.
“I’m devastated for Matthew. What he has gone through over the past few days will be absolutely devastating for him, his beautiful wife, his young boys and his family.”
The opposition leader wouldn’t divulge whether Deeming, who is currently overseas, has a future with the party.
“I’ve reached out to Moira and I have requested when she returns to Melbourne that we speak and have a conversation with her, but right now I’m focused on supporting Matthew and ensuring that he receives the support that he needs.”
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