Moira Deeming drops legal case against Victorian Liberal Party
Victorian MP Moira Deeming has withdrawn her Supreme Court challenge against the Liberal Party, seeking mediation to avoid disendorsement before the November state election.
Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming has dropped her legal action against the party, withdrawing the Supreme Court challenge she filed on July 3 against party president Brian Loughnane. The case stemmed from an assault allegation Deeming made against former leader Matthew Guy, which police determined was unfounded after reviewing CCTV footage showing Guy placing his hand on her upper back. Deeming later clarified she misunderstood the term "headlock" and had been unwell when the allegation surfaced.
In a statement late Wednesday, Deeming said the injunction had achieved its purpose, allowing her time to recover and review the facts. She sent a 12-page mediation proposal to the party's state executive, offering to end the court action in hopes of avoiding disendorsement ahead of the November election. Deeming insisted she acted in good faith and followed party rules.
Matthew Guy had demanded a public apology, denying any wrongdoing. Liberal leader Jess Wilson declined to comment, stating the matter was before the courts. The state executive now must decide whether to accept mediation or proceed with disendorsement.
