Victoria Police have concluded their investigation into an assault complaint made by Liberal upper house MP Moira Deeming against fellow Liberal MP Matthew Guy, determining that “no offence” had been committed following a review of the evidence.
The investigation centred on allegations that Guy assaulted (Headlocked) Deeming during a Macedonian community function at the Sheldon Reception Centre in Sunshine West on 23 May. Deeming reported the matter to Victoria Police on 16 June after first raising the allegation with Opposition Leader Jess Wilson’s office.
In a statement released late Thursday, Victoria Police said:
“Police have concluded an investigation following reports of an assault at a function venue on Sommerville Road in Sunshine West on 23 May.”
The statement continued:
“It was reported a woman was assaulted by a man at the event… Following a thorough investigation, it has been determined there was no offence detected.”
The investigation concluded after police examined CCTV footage from inside the venue. As reported by The Australia Today, the footage contradicts Deeming’s allegation that Guy placed her in a violent headlock. Instead, the video shows the pair leaning towards each other while speaking in what appeared to be a noisy function room, with Guy briefly placing his hand on or near Deeming’s shoulder or upper back during the interaction.
Guy, who has consistently denied the allegation, welcomed the outcome.
“These claims were ridiculous and unsubstantiated, just as the police found,” he said.
Sources close to Matthew Guy have indicated he is now considering legal action for defamation.
Police did not interview Guy during the investigation, with the CCTV footage forming a central part of the evidence reviewed.
The matter has nevertheless intensified tensions within the Victorian Liberal Party, which has already endured prolonged internal divisions following earlier disputes involving Deeming and former Liberal leader John Pesutto. Several media outlets reported growing frustration among Liberal MPs over the complaint and its political fallout, although no formal party response had been announced at the time of publication.
Wilson declined to comment publicly while the police investigation was underway, saying those involved were entitled to due process and privacy. She is expected to address the matter following the conclusion of the investigation.
Deeming, who was overseas in London when police announced their findings, had not publicly responded to the outcome at the time of publication.
Her husband, Andrew Deeming, defended his wife on social media before the investigation concluded, writing that “as a husband, keep your f—ing hands off my wife.”
The police decision closes the criminal investigation but leaves the political ramifications for the Victorian Liberal Party unresolved, just months before Victorians head to the polls for the state election.
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