A prominent Labour MP has been cleared of groping a woman at the party’s annual conference.
Clive Lewis, 46, had been accused of squeezing a woman’s backside during a Momentum fringe event in Brighton in September.
The woman, aged 39, made the complaint as Westminster was hit by a sex scandal which included claims about numerous MPs.
An internal Labour investigation has now found there is no evidence to substantiate the accusations and there will be no further action against the former frontbencher.
Clive Lewis (pictured) had been accused of squeezing a woman’s backside during a Momentum fringe event in Brighton in September
Mr Lewis, who denied the claim ‘100 per cent’, said he was ‘relieved’ and ‘very pleased’.
The Norwich South MP, a huge Jeremy Corbyn supporter, told the Norwich Evening News: ‘I am very pleased to be able to put this behind me and move on.
‘I believe it right and proper the Labour Party takes all allegations of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct seriously.
‘I want to express my gratitude to my wife, friends and constituents who have supported me during recent weeks.
‘I look forward very much to continuing my work in Parliament, fighting for the people I represent and the city I love.’
The woman, a party delegate, claimed that London-born Mr Lewis touched her when they were introduced at the World Transformed event.
Mr Lewis (pictured wife Jeremy Corbyn’s wife Laura Alvarez, left) said he was ‘relieved’ and ‘very pleased’ that the investigation into his behaviour found no evidence of wrong-doing
The embarrassed MP was forced to apologise after he was caught on camera at the same event saying ‘get on your knees b****’ in a joking manner to a male friend.
Mr Lewis, a former Territorial Army infantry officer who did a tour in Afghanistan, insisted his remark was ‘offensive and unacceptable’ as he apologised ‘unreservedly’.
A Labour source, who spoke out to support Mr Lewis when the claims were made, welcomed the news that he had been cleared of groping the woman.
They added: ‘This is a victory for common sense to be frank. Those who know Clive are clear that he would never do something like what he was accused of.
‘He is a fun guy, a friendly guy but he’d never cross the line. I think most people in Westminster and beyond knew that from the start.
‘I am pleased the internal investigation was rigorous because that is how it should be. We have the correct systems in place.’
A Labour Party spokesman said: ‘After consideration of statements provided by the complainant and the respondent, the NEC’s sexual harassment panel has ruled that on the balance of the evidence the matter should not be referred to a full hearing.’
Mr Lewis (pictured with London mayor Sadiq Khan) is a former Territorial Army infantry officer who did a tour in Afghanistan