Party says shadow work and pensions secretary has stood aside over allegations of bullying, which she denies

The shadow work and pensions secretary, Debbie Abrahams, is being investigated by Labour over a “workplace issue” understood to be connected to claims of bullying, something she has vehemently denied.

In a brief statement, Labour said Abrahams had stood aside from her frontbench role while she was investigated. but the Oldham East and Saddleworth MP denied she had done so.

Abrahams, who has been in the role since June 2016, said she strongly rejected the claims and did not rule out taking legal action of her own.



She said she had experienced “aggressive, intimidating and wholly unprofessional” behaviour from unnamed people in Jeremy Corbyn’s office and had made her own complaint to Labour and to parliamentary authorities.

A Labour spokesman said: “Debbie Abrahams has stood aside from her frontbench role while the Labour party investigates an employment issue. Margaret Greenwood will act as shadow secretary of state for work and pensions during this period.”

It is understood the move followed a number of complaints, including some connected to allegations of bullying. A “no-prejudice investigation” is being handled by the party rather than the whips’ office.

Abrahams has not resigned. She said in a statement: “I refute the allegations that have been made against me in the strongest possible terms. I will fight this spurious claim and do not rule out taking legal action. I have had no details about the complaint, who it is from, the process or timescales. I have not agreed to stand aside.

“My treatment by certain individuals in the leader’s office over the last 10 months has been aggressive, intimidating and wholly unprofessional. My treatment in the last week has shown a bullying culture of the worst kind. As such I am making a formal complaint to both the Labour party and parliamentary authorities.”