News / kerry mccarthy
McCarthy accuses fellow MP of unwanted attention over 20 years
Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy says she suffered 20 years of unwanted attention from fellow Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins.
Describing the attention as “upsetting”, McCarthy has released a number of letters and cards the Luton North MP sent her about her appearance, including one in which he described having a dream about her.
The former shadow environment secretary is the first MP to make specific claims of inappropriate behaviour since the Westminster scandal erupted.
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McCarthy first met Hopkins when she was in her late 20s and they were both involved in Labour politics in Luton.
The notes and cards released include one where Hopkins writes he had asked McCarthy to lunch “because you are attractive, intelligent and charming” before urging her to “dispose” of the note.
Another postcard asks whether McCarthy’s employer specialised in “pretty, petite brunettes”, and McCarthy alleges that on another occasion Hopkins placed his hand on hers when she was not looking as she was getting out of a car.
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Hopkins told PA that McCarthy’s complaint had caused him “immense personal hurt and utter dismay” from someone he counted as a friend.
“If Kerry McCarthy MP raises a complaint with the Labour Party in the normal and fair way, I will of course fully cooperate with any investigation,” he said.
“However I do ask, on my behalf and on behalf of all other individuals and their families dealing with allegations, that these matters are dealt with by proper due process and not by unfair, humiliating one-sided trial by media.
“I am a 76-year old man and the stress this has caused me and my family is unbearable.
“All I ask for is proper due process and not to be convicted and vilified by the press before the details of the allegations are even investigated and put to me properly if they need to be.”
McCarthy has said she decided to go public after the “bravery” of party activist Ava Etemadzadeh, whose allegations of inappropriate behaviour from Hopkins saw him recently suspended by Labour
McCarthy has already had the support of fellow Bristol MP Thangam Debbonaire:
Read more: Kerry McCarthy attacks Corbyn’s leadership
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