New Labour peer suspended over alleged inappropriate behaviour | EUROtoday

Labour has suspended considered one of its friends a month after he took his seat within the Lords after it emerged he had resigned from a sixth-form faculty group over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Lord Joe Docherty, who was launched to the House of Lords on January 19, resigned as chief government of NCG in October 2018 after being confronted with allegations he had carried out sexual liaisons whereas at work.

According to an investigation by the Sunday Times and FE WeekLord Docherty exchanged a number of sexual messages throughout an Ofsted inspection and used motels paid for by NCG to satisfy companions throughout work hours.

In one case, he’s alleged to have had a sexual liaison whereas he was presupposed to be attending a gathering.

At the time, NCG, previously Newcastle College Group, was the nation’s largest sixth type and additional training group.

Lord Docherty was administratively suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation on Saturday, that means he has additionally misplaced the Labour whip.

It has been reported that he didn’t point out the resignation whereas present process vetting for his appointment to the House of Lords.

In an announcement to the Sunday TimesLord Docherty stated the allegations had been “robustly disputed” and would have been challenged had the matter gone to a disciplinary listening to.

He additionally accused the one who investigated the allegations of bias, telling the Sunday Times: “I fully accept that whether as a member of the House of Lords or as a senior executive, accountability is paramount and I welcome legitimate scrutiny.

“However, I am also entitled to a private life. The apparent leaking of a version of a confidential internal HR report and The Sunday Times’s reliance upon such a document is disgraceful.”

A Labour spokesperson stated: “The Labour Party expects the highest standards from our members. All complaints are thoroughly assessed in line with our rules and procedures.”

In a separate improvement, one other of Sir Keir Starmer’s new friends, Baroness Ann Limb, stated she wouldn’t take up her seat within the Lords over claims about her time chairing the City & Guilds charity.

Baroness Limb, who beforehand admitted mendacity about holding a PhD, oversaw the sale of the charity’s belongings that noticed two executives obtain bonuses of greater than £1 million.

The Sunday Times reported that the Charity Commission has opened an investigation into the sale.

Baroness Limb stated: “I will not be taking my seat in the Lords until matters relating to my previous voluntary roles are resolved.”

Both Lord Docherty and Baroness Limb have been made friends in December 2025 similtaneously one other controversial appointment, former Downing Street communications chief Matthew Doyle.

Lord Doyle misplaced the Labour whip on February 10, greater than a month after it was reported he had campaigned for a council candidate who had been charged with possessing indecent photos of kids.

He has since apologised for his affiliation with Sean Morton, who later admitted the offence, whereas Sir Keir claimed Lord Doyle had not given “a full account” of his hyperlinks with the paedophile councillor.