Peter Dutton removes David Van from Liberal party room after receiving further allegations against him

Dutton says decision, which followed Lidia Thorpe’s allegations, was not a ‘judgment on the veracity of allegations or any individual’s guilt or innocence’

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The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has announced senator David Van will no longer sit in the Liberal Party room, following further allegations against him.

Dutton told reporters in Canberra that following independent senator Lidia Thorpe’s allegation of sexual assault against Van in the Senate on Wednesday evening “further allegations in relation to senator Van have been brought to my attention overnight”.