Former South Tyneside MP Stephen Hepburn remains suspended by Labour following sexual harassment claims

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Stephen Hepburn, 61, who served Jarrow as a Labour MP more than 20 years, had the whip withdrawn from him just two months before the December 2019 General Election after the party confirmed that it was re-examining claims dating back to 2005.

The complaint had previously gone through party processes and was reportedly reopened in the light of additional witness testimony.

The Gazette understands that Mr Hepburn is still suspended although the party does not comment on ongoing investigations.

Former Jarrow Labour MP Stephen Hepburn is still suspended more than a year after the party began re-examining an historic sexual harassment complaint.

Mr Hepburn, who was first elected to serve Jarrow in 1997, briefly continued as an independent MP until Parliament was dissolved in November 2019.

Under Labour Party rules, individuals suspended from the party are not eligible to be Labour candidates and Mr Hepburn decided against standing as an independent.

A party spokesperson said at the time: “The Labour Party takes all complaints of sexual harassment extremely seriously, which are fully investigated and any appropriate disciplinary action taken in line with party rules and procedures.”

Mr Hepburn, who was returned as MP at the 2017 General Election with a majority of more than 17,000, could not be contacted for comment about his ongoing suspension.

Councillor Wilf Flynn, the secretary of Jarrow Constituency Labour Party, said he could not comment on the matter.

Mr Hepburn’s successor, Kate Osborne, was elected with a reduced majority of 7,120 at the 2019 count.

Meanwhile, a former Labour MP has left the party before an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against him were able to be concluded, the party has confirmed.

Kelvin Hopkins was accused in 2017 of inappropriate physical contact and was suspended by the Labour Party pending an investigation.

The ex-Luton North MP denied the allegations and continued as an independent MP until the 2019 General Election when he stood down after citing family health reasons.

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