SPRING ST, VIC. — Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming has made a last-ditch plea to her party to retain her candidacy for the state election, after refusing to apologise to Matthew Guy for allegedly placing her ‘in a headlock.’
Moira Deeming is begging to stay in the Victorian Liberal Party and keep her candidacy for this year’s State Election, ABC State Political reporter, Richard Willingham, told Raf Epstein on 774 ABC Radio Melbourne (3LO) Mornings.
The party is now seeking to revoke Mrs Deeming’s preselection after she rejected the calls to apologise to Mr Guy.
Mrs Deeming, who sits in the upper house for the Western Metropolitan Region, has sought an injunction in the Supreme Court, which will go to a one-day trial on Friday.
In a statement to the party’s state executive this week, Mrs Deeming continued to allege she was “grabbed, held and pulled with force that caused me pain and distress”.
Shadow Attorney-General James Newbury would not confirm what exact further action would be taken by the Victorian Liberal Party, but he did indicate that the “party administration” could deselect her as a Liberal Party candidate before the upcoming Victorian state election in November.
Before sending the letter to the state executive, Mrs Deeming’s lawyer separately wrote to the investigating Detective Senior Constable, in July, complaining her allegation was written off without speaking to her and insisting that she was assaulted.
“An assault includes the application of any force to another. The ‘application of force’ is interpreted broadly and includes not only physical violence but also touching,” the emails, obtained by the ABC, said.
In response to Mrs Deeming’s solicitor’s complaint, police said a decision was made not to file charges.
The ABC contacted Victoria Police on Wednesday to confirm its position. “Following a thorough investigation, it has been determined there was no offence detected,” police said.
Ms Deeming has a court hearing on Friday, July 17 and is a former teacher and City of Melton councillor.
- ABC News Melbourne contributed to this report.
