Top Labour MP accused of slapping woman’s backside and mocking her breast cancer fight
Karl Turner has denied claims he sexually harassed a woman in his office
A SENIOR Labour MP was today accused of slapping a woman’s buttocks and mocking her struggle with cancer.
Shadow minister Karl Turner denies claims he harassed the woman in his office and told her she had a “nice arse”.
Labour have asked the alleged victim to come forward and make a formal complaint so they can investigate the claims.
Married Mr Turner, 46, slapped the woman’s backside in his constituency office in Hull in 2015, witnesses .
When confronted about his behaviour by onlookers, he allegedly said: “I couldn’t help myself.”
The MP, who is a shadow transport minister under Jeremy Corbyn, is also alleged to have mocked the same woman’s battle with breast cancer.
After she recovered from the illness, the FT reported, Mr Turner told her she “shouldn’t have got rid of her real t*ts because they were great”, but added: “The ones you’ve got now are nice enough.”
Mr Turner told The Sun today: "I am aware of reports in the media about my alleged inappropriate behaviour. I strongly reject any suggestion that I behaved inappropriately or in a misogynistic manner."
A Labour spokesman said: “The party takes all complaints of sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination extremely seriously.
“We ask that anyone with a complaint comes forward so that allegations can be fully investigated, and any appropriate disciplinary action taken in line with the party’s rule book and procedures.”
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Mr Turner, who is married to a lawyer and has a 21-month-old daughter, has been MP for Hull East since 2010.
Two Labour MPs, Ivan Lewis and Kelvin Hopkins, are currently suspended by the party over allegations of sexual harassment.
A number of other politicians from both Labour and the Tories have been accused of sexually harassing women or men, including sacked ministers Michael Fallon and Damian Green