Labour suspends senior MP over 'serious allegations of unacceptable behaviour'

The 63-year-old, who served as the MP for Croydon Central from 1997 to 2005, returned to the House of Commons in the safe Welsh seat in 2010.

Davies also chaired the Commons' Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a fortnight in May 2022.

The Labour MP's suspension comes after he was accused of subjecting five younger female colleagues to unwanted physical and verbal sexual attention.

Davies, who denies the claims brought against him, allegedly touched two female MPs inappropriately.

A former parliamentary official also accused Davies of repeatedly commenting on her appearance.

A 19-year-old was among those to bring forward a complaint about the Swansea West MP.

Southside's decision to suspend the whip means Davies will sit in the Commons as an independent MP pending an investigation.

The Labour Party currently has 196 MPs in the House of Commons.

A total of 15 are sitting as independents, with several others accused of sexual impropriety.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party treats complaints of sexual harassment and abuse with the utmost seriousness and takes action in response to every complaint.

“We would strongly urge anyone with a complaint to come forward so that allegations can be swiftly and fully investigated and action taken.

"The party has ensured that there is a wide range of support available to complainants, to provide confidence and confidential guidance throughout the disciplinary process.

“In all instances where we are made aware of concerns of this kind, we encourage complaints to be submitted through Labour’s independent complaints process, Parliament’s Independent Complaints Grievance Scheme or, if appropriate, the police.”

In a statement, Davies said: “I don’t recognise the allegations suggested and do not know who has made them.

"None of them, as far as I know, has been lodged as complaints with the Labour Party or parliament.

“If I have inadvertently caused offence to anyone, then I am naturally sorry as it is important that we share an environment of mutual and equal respect for all.”

Speaking to GB News from the nearby seat of Aberavon this morning, Labour's Shadow Immigration Minister said: "These are deeply troubling allegations and I really do hope that the women affected do come forward and make a formal complaint because it is quite difficult to move the complaints process forward without those formal complaints.

"But I am also very pleased that the Labour Party has taken swift action and suspended Geraint's membership, which means automatic suspension of the whip as well, pending the investigation and getting clarity on what has taken place."

Kinnock, who is the son of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, added: "I've been a Member of Parliament since 2015 and a lifelong member of the Labour Party and I can assure you that the vast, vast, vast majority of party members and MPs are just great and lovely people who want to make the world a better place and believe passionately in our values and principles.

"Of course, if there are things going on which should not be going on that is completely unacceptable.

"And, as I say, I am very pleased with our whips and Keir Starmer for taking swift action to suspend Geraint's membership of the Labour Party pending investigation."