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Ex-Hartlepool MP Mike Hill ‘told staff member he craved her body’

Mike Hill was suspended from the Labour Party in September 2019
Mike Hill was suspended from the Labour Party in September 2019

A former Labour MP told a parliamentary worker "I crave your body" in text messages, according to documents submitted to an employment tribunal.

The woman, known only as Ms A, claims former Hartlepool MP Mike Hill conducted a campaign of sexual harassment and bullying against her over 16 months during his four-year stint in office.

In a witness statement submitted to the Central London Employment Tribunal, the woman, who had pre-existing post-traumatic stress disorder, said Mr Hill made her feel "scared, extremely confused, violated and powerless".

Ms A said Mr Hill's advances began with text messages, including the one about craving her body, but progressed to groping her and rubbing his erect penis against her body in his London flat.

She said Mr Hill had not acknowledged or apologised for the conduct, but that she had told him she felt "very threatened" by his actions and that he must not do it again.

She said he would frequently rub himself against her and grab her bottom if they were both in his parliamentary office.

Ms A said she did not want to tell her family about the allegations and be forced to leave London and return home.

During cross-examination at a virtual hearing on Tuesday, Ms A acknowledged that she had previously received a £40,000 out-of-court settlement from a former employer.

Mr Hill was suspended from the Labour Party in September 2019 over the allegations, but was reinstated in October of that year to fight the general election.

He resigned from his seat in March of this year, triggering the by-election that saw the former red wall seat of Hartlepool swing dramatically to the Conservatives.

The tribunal, which is due to last a week-and-a-half, continues.