Victorian Liberal party in turmoil as MP denies colleague’s accusations of assault

A female Victorian Liberal MP has accused a member of her party room of assaulting her at a community event, throwing the party into turmoil just five months out from the state election. Sources close to the accused MP said he vehemently denies the allegation and is considering a defamation legal action against his colleague. Guardian Australia has chosen not to name the MPs. Both have been approached for comment. CCTV footage of the incident has circulated and has been seen by Guardian Australia. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email Victoria police confirmed they are investigating reports a man assaulted a woman at a function last month. “The woman left the area following the incident and did not require medical attention. The incident was reported to police on 16 June,” they said in a statement. “The investigation into the incident remains ongoing and police believe the people involved are known to each other.” Guardian Australia understands the woman first approached the party with the allegation before taking the matter to police. The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, said as the matter was subject to a police investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment. “Like every other Victorian, the parties involved deserve due process, the presumption of innocence and their privacy respected while this is investigated,” Wilson said in a statement on Thursday. …