Labour have launched an investigation after an activist claimed she was discouraged from reporting a rape allegation by a party official.

Bex Bailey, 25, who previously served on Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, has revealed she was raped at the age of 19 by someone senior to her in the party who was not an MP.

She told the BBC when she later recounted the incident to a member of Labour staff, she was warned making the claim might "damage" her.

Ms Bailey has said she is speaking out in a bid to achieve "actual change" in the way such cases are handled, amid a sexual harassment scandal engulfing Westminster.

Labour have responded by launching an investigation, to be headed by an independent legal expert, into her claims.


Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Speaking out about rape and sexual harassment takes enormous courage.

"Bex Bailey has shown incredible bravery by talking publicly about what has happened to her and has my full support and solidarity.

"I have asked Labour's general secretary, Iain McNicol, to launch an independent investigation into the allegations that she wasn't given the support from the party she should have received and had the right to expect.

"There will be no tolerance in the Labour Party for sexism, harassment or abuse.

"Whatever it takes, we are absolutely committed to rooting it out."

A Labour spokesperson added the party is taking the allegations "extremely seriously" and are encouraging police to investigate the claims of criminality.

Image: Former Labour leader Ed Miliband said he was 'shocked' by the allegations

Ed Miliband, who was Labour leader at the time of Ms Bailey's alleged rape in 2011, said he was "shocked" by the "horrific allegations".

He wrote on Twitter: "She is showing great bravery and courage in speaking out.

"Victims must be supported when they come forward. These allegations must be properly investigated by the police and the Labour Party."

Dawn Butler, Labour's shadow women and equalities secretary, expressed her hope new structures put in place by the party this year would prevent anyone else going through Ms Bailey's experience.

"The Labour Party is extremely serious about tackling any form of abuse and making sure we have a transparent structure in place," she said - praising Ms Bailey as "a strong and amazing young lady".

Labour launches independent inquiry over assault claims

A host of Labour MPs also praised Ms Bailey's courage, including Liz Kendall, who previously employed Ms Bailey as her top aide.

Former shadow minister Mary Creagh told Sky News: "These are horrific allegations about what happened to Bex and my heart goes out to her.

"Not just the fact this happened but also when she did find the courage to speak out and report it that she was effectively told to hush things up."

Ms Creagh suggested political parties had not been taking sexual harassment issues seriously until now.

"For Bex to come forward in this way is basically an incredible act of courage to speak out and encourage other women, who may have suffered in a similar way, to come forward in the knowledge they will be believed," she added.

2/2 Victims must be supported when they come forward. These allegations must be properly investigated by the police and the Labour Party. — Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) October 31, 2017

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme, Ms Bailey described how she did not contact police immediately after the incident, which happened at a Labour Party event, because she "tried to pretend it hadn't happened".

She explained: "It took me a while to sum up the courage to tell anyone in the party.

"But when I did, I told a senior member of staff, who told me... or it was suggested to me that I not report it.

"I was told that if I did it might damage me - and that might be their genuine view, it might be that that was the case in which case that shows that we have a serious problem in politics with this issue anyway."

Ms Bailey added she did not think she was "even given a cup of tea at the time".

She is calling for an independent agency, such as a charity, to deal with allegations made within Parliament or political parties.

On Monday, Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom called for an independent support team to be established in Parliament to deal with allegations of abuse, harassment or inappropriate behaviour.

Scrutiny has also been cast on MPs' role as employers of their staff and grievance procedures for aides to report concerns at Westminster.