Labour MP accused of sexual harassment claims £2,000 in expenses for case

Hartlepool MP Mike Hill denies allegations, which will be heard at employment tribunal next year

Labour MP Mike Hill briefly had the whip withdrawn over claims he sexually harassed a woman (Garry Clarkson/Alamy)

A Labour MP accused of sexual harassment has claimed £2,000 of public money as part of costs linked to the case.

The claimant, who says she was sexually assaulted by Mike Hill, was made homeless after losing her jobs and is crowdfunding her case, the Sunday Times reported.

The complaint will be heard at the London Central Employment Tribunal in May.

Mr Hill, the MP for Hartlepool, denies the allegations. He was suspended from the Labour Party during an investigation last year but the whip was reinstated a month later.

Records published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority show that Mr Hill was paid £2,000 expenses in January for “employment liability policy excess”.

Employment liability insurance covers instances where a staff member could make a compensation claim.

Mr Hill attempted to obtain an anonymity order at the Central London Employment Tribunal earlier this year but the request was rejected.

The complaint was previously lodged with the Labour Party and parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Process (ICGS).

In a statement on her crowdfunding page, the woman said she had been fighting the case since August 2019.

“This is an important and high-profile case which I am determined to bring in order to highlight what I allege to be the significant abuse of power by a public figure whose behaviour should be challenged and dealt with in a public forum outside of parliament,” she added.

“I on the other hand have had to live with and will continue to live with the consequences, my mental health and ability to work having been severely impacted by his actions.”