Labour activist Bex Bailey says she was raped at a party event but told not to report it to police by a senior official
POLICE were last night called into the Westminster sex scandal after shocking new allegations that a senior Labour official covered up a rape.
Young activist Bex Bailey revealed that she was the victim of a harrowing assault in 2011 when she was only 19 years-old.
The ex-member of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) was told two years later by a senior party member that reporting it may “damage” her career.
The bombshell revelation rocked the Commons and stunned MPs already reeling from a week of extraordinary claims of harassment and abuse.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s office last night called on the police to investigate and vowed to launch their own inquiry.
Speaking to the BBC, Ms Bailey – a widely respected activist – said: “I was seriously sexually assaulted at a Labour Party event – it wasn’t an MP – but someone who was more senior to me.
“I was raped.
“A couple of years later I summoned up the courage and I did say to someone what had happened. I told a senior member of staff who told me – it was suggested to me that I not report it.
“I was told that if I did it might damage me and that might be their genuine view, it might be that that was the case, in which case that shows that we have a serious problem in politics.”
Ms Bailey – now 25 - added: “I don’t think I was even given a cup of tea at the time. It was quite a horrible experience.”
“This is why I’ve been fighting so hard for changes to the way that we do this, because I know how hard it is and I don’t want other women to experience what I did.”
The activist declined to name either her rapist – or who she confided in – to the BBC.
She called for an independent agency to be set up so victims in Westminster had the “confidence” to come forward in the future.
In as statement, Labour urged the police to investigate the allegations of “criminal actions”.
The party is also launching an independent investigation into claims “party employee acted improperly” in 2011.
Labour general secretary Iain McNicol is expected to bring in his own legal experts to investigate.
Posting on Facebook Jeremy Corbyn said: “There will be no tolerance in the Labour Party for sexism, harassment or abuse. Whatever it takes, we are absolutely committed to rooting it out.”
But Labour MPs lined up to condemn the “disgusting” revelations and urged Parliament to following Bex Bailey’s bravery in changing the way the Commons authorities handles such attacks.
Ed Miliband – Labour leader at the time of Bex Bailey’s complaint - stormed: “I am shocked by the horrific allegations. She is showing great bravery and courage in speaking out.”
He added: “These investigations must be properly investigated by the police and the Labour Party.”
Ms Bailey was studying at the London School of Economics between 2010 and 2013 but also worked as an intern for ex-Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls and as a parliamentary assistant of Graham Allen MP.
But she also spent much of 2011 campaigning with Labour students or Young Labour in towns such as Feltham and Heston, Portsmouth and Knowsley.
After a spell as a PR consultant from the middle of 2013 she came back to work for Labour backbencher Liz Kendall – helping her on her doomed party leadership bid two years ago.
She now works in PR for the Young Women’s Trust campaign group.
Speaking last night she urged politicians to set up an independent agency to give victims the confidence to report abuse “without feeling they will be penalised”.
And the call was immediately backed by horrified Labour MPs.
MP 'assaulted woman during a trip abroad and Parliament did nothing'
A woman was sexually assaulted by an MP on a trip abroad but Parliament did not take it seriously, she said tonight.
The victim, known as Zara, said a male politician forced himself on her in a hotel - but when she reported it to the authorities they did nothing, she told ITV News.
Zara said: “He was quite insistent on me sitting on the bed, at which point I really didn't feel comfortable, to the point where he pushed me on the bed and held me by the shoulders and tried to kiss me.
“I made it very clear that was not what I wanted, but he was insistent, and pushed me back onto the bed and kind of held me there.”
She reported the incident to police and Parliament, but no action was taken because the alleged crime happened outside the UK.
Zara added: “I don't think it was taken seriously whatsoever. Evidence would suggest that absolutely no action taken.”
The MP, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies any wrongdoing.
Ms Kendall said last night: “Bex is an incredibly brave and strong young woman. It took huge courage for her to speak out.
“We must now make the changes she and others are calling for so all women have the confidence to come forward about sexual harassment, abuse and assault.”
Lucy Powell, Ed Miliband’s former chief of staff, added: “Bex has been incredibly brave in coming forward.
“We now need the same from political leaders of all Parties to ensure there is real and meaningful change which provides independent support and reporting victims of abuse.”
Ayesha Hazarika – a former aide to Harriet Harman – said: “This is absolutely disgusting. I am so sorry Bex Bailey had to endure this.
Bex Bailey’s former flatmate Benjamin Butterworth last night said: “Bex is one of the kindest, toughest people I know.
“We were flatmates at 19. Breaks my heart to know she faced this.”
