The son of former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has been suspended from his job as communications chief to the shadow cabinet amid the Westminster sexual harassment scandal.
David Prescott, who used to work as speechwriter for Jeremy Corbyn, was removed from his job in the past few days following a complaint to the leader’s office.
The precise details of the allegation are not known, but it comes as claims of sexual harassment and abuse sweep through the Palace of Westminster.
A Labour Party spokesman refused to confirm the suspension saying they do not comment on staffing matters.
Speaking more generally, he added: ‘The party takes all complaints of sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination extremely seriously.
‘We ask that anyone with a complaint comes forward so that allegations can be properly investigated.
‘When evidence of misconduct comes to light, all appropriate disciplinary action is taken in line with the party’s rule book and procedures.’
David Prescott, pictured with his father ex deputy PM John. David Prescott has been suspended from the Labour Party as allegations of sexual harassment swirl around Westminster
David Prescott, pictured campaigning in 2015 when he was the Labour candidate for Gainsborough, has repeatedly tried and failed to follow in his father’s footsteps and get a seat in the House of Commons
PoliticsHome reported that the weekly meeting for shadow ministerial media advisers, which Mr Prescott chairs, was postponed yesterday because he was ‘not in’.
An email to staff from Richard Simcox, a spokesman for Mr Corbyn, said: ‘With apols for the short notice, as David’s not in today, the weekly comms meeting is cancelled.
‘Can you message/email me separately if there are any issues you want/need to flag, or if there’s anything you need from us. Cheers.’
Mail Online understands the complaint has not been referred to the police and that Mr Prescott is still a member of the Labour as no formal complaint has been received by the official party structures.
Mr Prescott used to work directly for Mr Corbyn as a speechwriter before being given the communications manager role.
It involves giving all the members of the Labour leader’s frontbench team media and strategy advice, and speechwriting.
Parliament has been rocked by a string of sex abuse and harassment claims over the past fortnight.
Jeremy Corbyn, pictured during the election campaign this year with John Prescott, employed his son as a speechwriter. His office has refused to comment on or confirm the suspension
Yesterday, Welsh Labour politician Carl Sargeant, 48, was found dead in an apparent suicide after he was sacked by the Welsh government and suspended by his party over ‘shocking’ claims of sexual misconduct made by three women.
In the Tory Party, Sir Michael Fallon quit as Defence Secretary following allegations of sexual misconduct while ministers Damian Green and Mark Garnier are under investigation following claims about their behaviour.
Mr Prescott has repeatedly tried to follow in his father’s footsteps and get a seat in the House of Commons.
But he has failed, losing out on becoming the Labour candidate for Alan Johnson’s old safe Labour seat of Hull West and Hessle earlier this year.
He had previously applied for selection in his father’s old seat of Hull East but was not selected.
In 2015, he stood as Labour’s candidate in Gainsborough, but lost to Tory Sir Edward Leigh.
Mr Prescott did not respond to requests for comment.
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: ‘We do not comment on staffing matters.’