Ex-Council Leader Accused of Harassing Female Official
Call for inquiry into Stephen Greenhalgh's behaviour at City Hall
Former Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council Stephen Greenhalgh, now a London Deputy Mayor, has been accused of harassing a female official at City Hall.
Labout has called for an inquiry following claims that the women told a colleague that he had behaved inappropriately towards her in a lift last month, by touching her bottom.
She is said to have been "upset" by the incident but has not made a formal complaint.
Mr Greenhalgh, 43, has responded saying: "I have no recollection of this event and understand no complaint has been made.
" Nonetheless, I would like to apologise unreservedly for anything that could be or may have been construed as inappropriate on my part."
Labour, however, described the statement as absurd. Len Duvall, leader of the Labour group on the London Assembly, said: " ‘If he didn’t do anything wrong why did he apologise? Boris Johnson needs to get to the root of this immediately."
"It is completely unacceptable that someone in such a senior position cannot recollect whether such a serious incident occurred only a few weeks ago.
" Regardless of whether a formal complaint is made or not this needs investigating. If it remains unclear or unresolved then he should step down. I understand it has been going on for four weeks."
Mayor Boris Johnson met Mr Greenhalgh on Tuesday evening after the mayor was made aware of the alleged incident, but his office has declined to confirm whether the meeting led to a reprimand.
Mr Greenhalgh stepped down from his role as Hammersmith and Fulham Council Leader in May and the Mayor appointed him Deputy Mayor for Policing following his re-election to City Hall.
In the role, Mr Greenhalgh heads the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime which replaced the Metropolitan Police Authority earlier this year.
December 13, 2012
