© Provided by The GuardianPhotograph: Lee Smith/Reuters
A former Labour MP accused of sexually harassing a parliamentary staff member has denied resigning from his Hartlepool seat in March because of the allegations, insisting he hopes to clear his name.
Mike Hill told an employment tribunal that he stood down from parliament after being told by an unnamed person that party support for him would "dissipate" after details of the allegations emerged on social media.
© Photograph: Lee Smith/ReutersMike Hill said details of the claims against him had emerged on social media more than a year before he quit.
In his first appearance before the tribunal in central London, he also rebuffed claims that he had sexually assaulted the claimant, known to the tribunal as Ms A, or that he had encouraged her to kill herself.
Hill, 57, faces accusations from Ms A of sexual harassment and victimisation. He denies the allegations.
Over two days of evidence, Ms A has told the tribunal that Hill had written to her to say that he "craved her body", and climbed uninvited into her bed on two occasions.
She alleged he rubbed his erect penis against her buttocks and fondled her breasts, despite promises not to pursue her. She also claimed he harassed her in parliament.
Hill denied resigning from the Labour party because he faced claims before the tribunal. He said that details of the claims against him had already emerged on social media more than a year before he stepped down.
"I know it is out there on social media, including the full details of the claims against me. It has been there for some time. The indirect inference drawn [from my conversations] was that any support that I would get from the party would dissipate," he said.
Earlier on Thursday, Ms A had told the tribunal that Hill had tried to get her to "kill herself" while seeking to drive her out of a job.
Under cross examination at the central London employment tribunal, Ms A said she was put under pressure through the redundancy process and a threat to end her tenancy of a flat.
She told the hearing: "Mr Hill was trying to get me to kill myself so this would all go away . He was trying to get me to take my own life."
Hill later told the tribunal he was "horrified" at that suggestion and would never push anyone to that point.
On Wednesday night, Kate Hollern, the shadow communities minister, stepped down from her post after being accused of trying to dissuade the Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen from offering support to Ms A.
Hill told the tribunal he was not aware of her resignation but added that he had confided in Hollern about Ms A's claims.
The tribunal continues.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.