The Scoop

Senior Boris aide accused of molesting woman in lift

Adam Bienkov | Tuesday 11 December, 2012 21:56

A senior aide to Boris Johnson has apologised after he was accused of molesting a female member of staff.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing, Stephen Greenhalgh allegedly “patted” the woman’s behind whilst in a City Hall lift last month.

She told a colleague about the incident, and they then passed it on to senior management.

The woman was upset but did not want to pursue an official complaint. No further action has been taken.

In a statement tonight, Stephen Greenhalgh said that he could not recall the incident but issued the following “unreserved” apology:

“I have no recollection of this event and I 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 behaviour on my part.”

The woman concerned has asked that her name remains private.

Greenhalgh was appointed as the Mayor’s new Policing Deputy following his re-election this year.

He is known for his combative style and has had a rocky relationship with the London Assembly so far.

He was previously the Conservative leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council and is often referred to as David Cameron’s favourite councillor.

Update Leader of the Labour London Assembly group Len Duvall has called for Stephen Greenhalgh to resign unless there is “urgent clarification” on what happened:

“The statement made by Stephen Greenhalgh is absurd. If he didn’t do anything wrong why did he apologise? Boris Johnson needs to get to the root of this immediately… Regardless of whether a formal complaint is made or not this needs investigating. This is a serious matter that needs urgent clarification. If it remains unclear or unresolved then he should step down.”

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