Emily Thornberry: 'I'm ashamed of what's been going on' in Labour

Shadow Foreign Secretary says processes in party and Westminster itself must change to prevent sexual harassment occurring in future

Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry has said she is “ashamed of what’s been going on” in her party and said the processes must change.

Asked about the case of Bex Bailey, a Labour activist who said this week she was raped at a party event in 2011 and told to keep quiet about it for the sake of her career, Ms Thornberry said: “I am ashamed of what’s been going on and I want us to do something about it.

“I want stuff happening in my party. [To make sure] there is a process there, and people are supported and not told, ‘Keep your head down, dear, don’t say anything,’ which is why we are now going to have an independent body.

“It seems to me that we should be looking at the victims of this and we should be making sure that our party responds appropriately.”

The Labour leadership is under fire after claims that the party was aware of allegations of sexual misconduct made against former Shadow Culture Secretary Kelvin Hopkins, a friend of Jeremy Corbyn.

Ms Thornberry said: “We owe a debt of gratitude to those who have come forward and who have been brave in the way that they have.”

But she refused to be drawn in to discussions over Mr Hopkins, who is currently under investigation by the party.

“Where there is an investigation going on, it is important we let that investigation run its course,” she said.

Former Shadow Business Secretary Clive Lewis has also been accused of groping a party activist at a party conference event last month. He has denied the allegation.

Labour has appointed a high-profile barrister to examine claims of sexual misconduct within the party.

Meanwhile MR Corbyn has defended his decision to appoint Mr Hopkins.

It is understood that Mr Hopkins was spoken to about why his behaviour was inappropriate and reprimanded by then chief whip Dame Rosie Winterton when Ms Etemadzadeh made her initial complaint after dealings with the MP in 2014 and 2015.

Mr Hopkins was suspended from Labour last week and an investigation launched after it is understood Ms Etemadzadeh contacted the party again with fresh information.

The MP "categorically denies" any inappropriate conduct in relation to the activist.

Mr Corbyn said he believed the "case was closed" when he elevated Mr Hopkins to his top team.

The Labour leader said: "Yes, I was aware that he had been reprimanded and I was also made aware that that was the end of the matter.

"He had been reprimanded, the case had been closed. I thought it was reasonable to appoint him, albeit for a very short time, to shadow cabinet."

Asked why the case was reopened, Mr Corbyn said: "Well, it has been reopened and, obviously, there will now be an investigation taking place on this and that's ongoing.

"I made a decision to put him into the shadow cabinet for a short time and I thought that was the right thing to do. And now the case has been reopened and it will be looked at again.

"He has been suspended from party membership, which is a decision I took immediately I heard about the later revelations."

Pressed on whether he would make the same decision to appoint Mr Hopkins to the frontbench with hindsight, Mr Corbyn said: "I can't discuss hindsight, all I can say is that I took a decision based on what I knew at the time and he made a good contribution to the shadow cabinet during the short time he was there.

"But it is now a matter to be investigated and be resolved."