Lidia Thorpe on white women’s accusations against David Van – Dutton reveals third complaint
Lidia Thorpe says her sexual assault allegations weren’t believed ‘until a white woman stood up’ – as Peter Dutton reveals a THIRD allegation has been made against David Van
Lidia Thorpe has claimed that her allegations of sexual assault in Parliament were not believed until a ‘white woman’ also spoke out.
The independent senator sensationally claimed she was harassed and assaulted by Liberal senator David Van on Wednesday.
Later that night, she retracted those comments, doubling down on Thursday. Hours after her second Senate speech, former Senator Amanda Stoker came forward with her own accusations against Mr. Van.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who took steps to remove Mr Van from the Liberal party chamber, has since confirmed there are more allegations than Ms Stoker and Ms Thorpe.
Mr Van vehemently denied the allegations on Wednesday, insisting that ‘it just isn’t true’, prompting Senator Thorpe to leave the Senate. Above with his partner Nerilee
Lidia Thorpe has doubled down on her allegations of being sexually assaulted under parliamentary privilege, claiming she was ‘aggressively followed, presented and touched inappropriately’ – but insisted she would not press charges
“I have made another accusation to Senator Van, but I will not comment further on those matters. I made a decision yesterday based on all the information available to me,” he said.
Ms Thorpe told ABC RN on Friday: “It wasn’t until a white woman stood up and said, ‘Yeah, this happened to me too,'” did the media take notice,’ she said.
“I think that’s a great example of the media landscape in this country and that’s systemic racism.
‘I was not believed. I was interrogated. I was absolutely demonized that day, by everyone. And you wonder why women don’t speak up. You wonder why we are being silenced. It’s because of that kind of behaviour.’
Peter Dutton evicted Senator David Van from the Liberal banquet hall after a second woman came forward with allegations against him
Former Liberal senator Amanda Stoker issued a statement Thursday night claiming the Victorian senator had “inappropriately touched” her “at an informal social gathering in a parliamentary office” in November 2020
Former Liberal National Senator Amanda Stoker released a statement Thursday night claiming the Victorian Senator had “inappropriately touched” her “at an informal social gathering in a parliamentary office” in November 2020.
‘He did that by squeezing my buttocks twice. By its nature and repetition, it was not accidental,” she claimed.
Mr Van said he had no recollection of having had such an encounter with Mrs Stoker.