Posted by 
Senator David Van has quit the Liberal Party in a fiery resignation letter saying he is “deeply distressed and hurt”.
It comes just days after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour two other members of the Senate, and an unnamed third woman.
“Given the Liberal Party’s wholesale disregard for due process and natural justice in relation to allegations made against me, I write to resign my membership effective immediately,” Van wrote in a letter to Victoria Liberal Party president Greg Mirabella.
“I cannot remain a member of a party that tramples upon the very premise on which our justice system is predicated.
“This is a travesty of justice and I reiterate that I deny the allegations against me.
“I resign also acknowledging the cruel irony of doing so amidst public discourse about the weaponisation of allegations and the role of the rule of law which has at its centre the presumption of innocence.
“I am deeply distressed and hurt that I have not been afforded procedural fairness in relation to these claims. I acknowledge the hundreds of members who have shown me support in my final days as a member.
“I have worked tirelessly for the party and fought hard for its beliefs over many years. I will continue to fight for what I thought were the party’s values – just not under its banner.”
Though he has left the party, his letter gave no indication that he would resign his seat.
In which case, Van would become a member of the crossbench.
Yesterday Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called for Van to resign from parliament after expelling him from the party room.
Earlier this week Senator Lidia Thorpe and former Liberal Senator Amanda Stoker accused Van of inappropriate behaviour.
Stoker said Van had inappropriately touched her twice at an informal social gathering.
Dutton said he had spoken to a third accuser, but did not go into any detail or identify her.
