Victorian MP Moira Deeming has refused to apologize to former state Liberal leader Matthew Guy for accusing him of assault, following a Victoria Police investigation that found no offense was committed. Deeming's lawyer confirmed Monday that his client would not offer an apology to Guy.
The incident occurred on May 23 at a Macedonian gala dinner in Melbourne's west. Deeming accused Guy of placing her in a 'headlock' by grabbing her by the back of the head and holding her. However, police reviewed CCTV footage of the event, which showed Guy placing a hand on Deeming's back as she leaned in to speak with him, and determined that no offense had taken place.
Despite calls for an apology from both Guy and Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson, Deeming's lawyer, Tim Houweling, stated that his client would not apologize. Houweling asserted that Deeming "categorically rejects any suggestion that her complaint was falsely made" and considers such allegations "entirely without foundation and highly defamatory." He further noted that a police decision not to pursue charges does not equate to a finding that a complaint was falsely made.
Deeming's legal team acknowledged that she "mistakenly misused the word 'headlock'" in her complaint but maintained that the report was made in "good faith and only as a matter of last resort." According to Houweling, Deeming "accepts that she misunderstood the technical meaning of the term 'headlock' but maintains that she used it in good faith to describe what happened." He elaborated that the publicly available footage shows Guy pulling her towards him while maintaining a grip around her neck and upper shoulder area as she attempted to pull away, preventing her from freely moving her head for several seconds.
Guy has strenuously denied the allegations. He was reportedly not questioned by police, and told The Age that the claims were "ridiculous and unsubstantiated, just as the police found."
Victoria Police released a statement Thursday night confirming the conclusion of their investigation into the reported assault. The report was filed on June 16, concerning an incident on May 23. Police stated that the woman involved did not require medical attention and that "no offense was detected" following their investigation. Investigators have since engaged with the woman who made the report.
Deeming, who has been in London for a conservative political conference, is scheduled to return to Melbourne on Tuesday and is expected to meet with senior Liberals. Victorian Liberal leader Wilson reiterated on Monday that she expects Deeming to apologize to Guy. The dispute has raised concerns about potential in-party fighting that could impact the Liberal party's chances in the upcoming state election on November 28.