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BRIGHTON, England — A Liberal Democrat activist has been arrested over allegations that a woman was sexually assaulted at a sing-a-long event at the party’s annual conference.
A woman attending the get-together complained to staff she had been touched on the backside during Glee Club, a three-hour event in which members sing songs parodying British politics.
Private security staff escorted a man from Brighton’s Grand Hotel, where the event was being held, in the early hours on Tuesday. The incident was later reported to Sussex Police. Lib Dem officials are aware and have offered support to the complainant.
A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “We have arrested a 57-year-old man from Bristol on suspicion of sexual assault by touching in relation to an incident which took place at The Grand Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton at around midnight on Tuesday.”
A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats said: “We are horrified this has happened, we assisted the police in identifying and arresting the suspect and have suspended him from the party.”
The incident is likely to reignite debate about the safety of attendees during Britain’s party conference season, with events for Labour and the Conservatives taking place in the next two weeks.
Critics of the U.K. parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme argue its remit should be expanded to include venues attended as part of people’s work — particularly party conferences — and not just the parliamentary estate, as is currently the case.
Esther Webber contributed reporting.
