Suspended Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins has “absolutely and categorically” denied allegations of inappropriate conduct made by party activist Ava Etemadzadeh.
Ms Etemadzadeh’s claims that the MP sent her suggestive texts and acted inappropriately are being investigated by Labour.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has come under fire for promoting Mr Hopkins to the shadow cabinet last year after the allegations first surfaced.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (David Cheskin/PA)
In a statement issued by his solicitors, Mr Hopkins denied claims he acted inappropriately following a Labour student event.
The MP said: “I absolutely and categorically deny that I in any way engaged in any such inappropriate conduct. I simply put an arm around her shoulder to give her a brief, slight hug just before getting in to my car.
“I did not hold her tight. I did not rub any part of my body, let alone my crotch, against Ava. She waved me off as I drove away and did not say anything whatsoever to suggest that anything had occurred that upset her let alone revolted her.”
Mr Hopkins claims that Ms Etemadzadeh sent him a text later that evening saying: “Thank you so much Kelvin for coming tonight!! We had a fantastic time. My members loved you! 🙂 You’re a star! x Ava”