The Labour Party has suspended a senior MP after an activist claimed that he sexually harassed her.

Kelvin Hopkins, a former shadow minister until last year, has had the Labour whip withdrawn after a Telegraph investigation found allegations that he sent “inappropriate” text messages and rubbed himself up against a young woman after a political event.

Ava Etemadzadeh, who is now 27, said that she informed the whips office at the time of the incident and that a regional representative contacted the Leader’s office last year to raise concerns about the allegations.

Labour allegedly failed to take appropriate action when the incidents were reported. Mr Hopkins was later promoted to shadow minister.

The party suspended Mr Hopkins last night after he was asked questions about his conduct. He is the first Labour MP to be named since sleaze allegations hit Westminster last week.

The Telegraph has seen text messages sent by the MP, who is 76, to Ms Etemadzadeh, where he praises her for being “a lovely young woman" and "attractive” before adding that a “nice young man would be lucky to have you as a girlfriend and lover…Were I to be young”.

A spokesman for the Labour Party last night confirmed that the allegations are now being examined and they have launched an investigation.