19 Dec 2019

Labour Party alleged assault victim reportedly stands by her version of events

From Morning Report, 8:23 am on 19 December 2019

The woman who accused a Labour Party staff member of a serious sexual assault is reportedly standing by her version of events, despite an independent investigation finding insufficient evidence to support her complaint.

Lawyer Maria Dew QC says some allegations of overbearing and aggressive conduct by the staff member were established, though they fell short of of meeting the threshold of unlawful bullying.

But she found insufficient evidence to support allegations of a serious sexual assault and found critical elements of the complainant's story were incorrect.

Ms Dew says the complainant admitted providing misleading information to the investigation.

The woman set out her story in great detail in an article published on website The Spinoff in September.

Spinoff editor Duncan Greive says in an article published on Thursday he has spoken to the woman and she stands by what she told the website.

RNZ political editor Jane Patterson speaks to Corin Dann.