MP faces suspension call over claims made by 'vulnerable woman'
There have been calls for MP Mike Hancock to be suspended following claims he tried to woo a vulnerable single mother who went to him for help.
The 36-year-old woman claims the long-standing MP knew she had mental health problems but showered her with gifts including perfume, clothes, a teddy bear and a dinner date at the House of Commons, according to a Sunday newspaper.
Mr Hancock denies he has done anything wrong.
It is claimed the woman - who is reportedly registered as a vulnerable adult - was sent dozens of text messages by Mr Hancock calling her 'special and sexy' and 'my princess'.
The Sunday Times reported that he admitted he sent some messages to 'cheer her up' but strenuously denied allegations that he forcibly kissed her and touched her sexually.
Now Councillor Steve Wemyss, leader of Portsmouth City Council Conservative group, has called for Mr Hancock - who is also a city councillor - to be suspended while the matter is investigated.
He said: 'I have been wading through the councillors' code of conduct and I shall certainly be writing to the leader of the council asking him to suspend Cllr Hancock. I shall also be writing to the chief executive asking him to conduct an inquiry into what has gone on.
'It is alleged this woman was a vulnerable adult with mental health problems and I believe he has in the past had very close links with Mencap so he has no excuses for mistreating a vulnerable person, if that is the case.'
Speaking to The Sunday Times the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she first contacted the 64-year-old Portsmouth South MP in October when she visited his constituency office looking for help with nuisance neighbours.
Following that meeting he is alleged to have turned up at her home unannounced and spoken to her inappropriately.
Mr Hancock, speaking from his home in Fareham, said: 'I have never behaved inappropriately with a constituent.
'That is all I have to say for now, but I intend to make a full statement at a later time.'
His wife of 43 years, Jacqueline, a fellow Portsmouth councillor, was clearly angered by the allegations.
She said: 'It's all untrue and you know it.'
A spokesman for Mr Hancock later released a statement saying: 'The Sunday Times story is exaggerated and taken completely out of context.
'Mike Hancock denies any allegations of any inappropriate behaviour and in no circumstances did any take place.
'All Mike Hancock did was offer help and support to this woman.
'Mike Hancock has not been contacted by Hampshire Police or been informed of any formal allegations or investigation.
'He will of course co-operate with the police if they ever contact him.'
A spokeswoman for Hampshire police said: 'Information regarding the welfare of a female from the Portsmouth area was passed to us by a third party on August 5 this year.
'No offences were disclosed to us at the time but the information remained on file.
'We have received contact from a female in relation to the matter and enquires are now in hand.'
LIB DEM CITY COUNCIL LEADER STICKING BY MIKE HANCOCK
Portsmouth City Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said he is sticking by the Lib Dem MP.
He said: 'I had a quick discussion with him about it on Friday for a couple of minutes.
'I think the big issue here is that Mike is an extremely good MP who has fought and worked hard for the city for years and he is by far the best MP for years and that is what he remains.'
When asked whether Mr Hancock would be suspended while police investigated the allegations he said: 'Oh no, I don't think so at all.
'My understanding is that the police had not been interested in this.'
The allegation against Mike Hancock come just weeks after he laughed off claims that one of his aides had links to the KGB.
Researcher Katia Zatuliveter was reported to have been questioned by MI5 over alleged links with Russian intelligence services.
Miss Zatuliveter, who is Russian, was returning to England with friends from Croatia at the end of August when she was stopped at Gatwick Airport.
She vehemently denied any links with espionage rings and claims her friend's account of the incident was blown out of all proportion.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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