What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Labour activist has told how he was sexually assaulted at a party event but warned not to speak out - because his attacker will “be out to get you”.

The alleged incident, on the dancefloor at a Labour Students disco four years ago, is the latest shocking claim of sexual impropriety to rock Westminster.

The activist said the man, who currently works as a Labour advisor in Westminster, “forced his hands down my trousers, feeling my flaccid penis and clutching my face to try and kiss me.”

He said he had talked to the man because they knew each other, but added: “I wasn’t flirting - I’ve never fancied him.”

After he pushed the man away, the activist said, he “turned nasty” and began “bad-mouthing” him to other members before he could process what happened.

(Image: PA)

A few weeks later the activist went for advice. But he said a senior member of Labour Students “didn’t think it would be very wise” to pursue the case.

The activist, who was 20 at the time, said: “The handful of people I told within the party essentially told me I should be careful - he’s a clever guy, he’ll be out to get you.

“I really wanted to get somewhere in Labour, so I’m ashamed to say I cowered away.”

The allegation comes days after Bex Bailey, another activist, said she was raped aged 19 at a Labour event six years ago but urged by a senior colleague not to report it.

The activist now plans to report his experience and the name of his alleged attacker to the Labour Party on Friday.

He said he was given the courage to speak out after Ms Bailey spoke of her experience and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn vowed to tighten up anti-harassment rules.

He added he wanted to highlight how student politics can be a “breeding ground for hushed-up sexual harassment” because it is “competitive, sometimes nasty and often alcohol-fuelled”.

However, he does not plan to report the incident to police because of the amount of time that has passed.

(Image: @bexbailey/Twitter)

Labour’s sexual harassment procedure, agreed by the ruling NEC in July, deals with complaints through a “specifically selected sexual harassment panel”.

Neither accusers nor accused are identified at the first stage, and the accuser is guaranteed they never have to face the person they are complaining about.

Labour also says it has a dedicated hotline and party chiefs have written to local parties and women’s officers with fresh copies of guidance.

A Labour spokeswoman said the party has “robust processes” to report harassment, and is working to improve them.

She said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints of sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination extremely seriously and any evidence that is presented to us of such misconduct will always be thoroughly investigated.

“We ask that anyone with a complaint comes forward so that a proper investigation can be carried out and when evidence of misconduct comes to light, all appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in line with the Party’s rule book and procedures.”

She added: “Any individual with allegations of a criminal nature should contact the police and we urge them to do so.”