Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Robert Doyle was serving his third term as Lord Mayor of Melbourne

The Lord Mayor of Melbourne has resigned after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him.

Robert Doyle, 64, has been accused of sexually harassing three women, including an allegation that he touched a colleague's breast.

Mr Doyle has repeatedly and strenuously denied the allegations.

The political veteran had been serving his third term as lord mayor of Australia's second-biggest city.

Mr Doyle went on leave in December after another councillor, Tessa Sullivan, resigned, accusing Mr Doyle of groping her and making inappropriate comments.

Two more women, including another city councillor, later raised harassment allegations against Mr Doyle.

Mr Doyle said at the time that he was shocked by the accusations, describing them as "thoroughly abhorrent".

Late on Sunday, Mr Doyle's lawyer Nick Ruskin reiterated that his client maintained his innocence.

"He has been through a period which he feels has lacked any semblance of natural justice, where the burden of proof does not rest with proving guilt, but rather with proving innocence," Mr Ruskin said on Sunday.

Mr Doyle has also resigned as chairman of a public healthcare company, Melbourne Health.

Melbourne City Council is investigating the allegations.</s>The Lord Mayor of Melbourne has announced his resignation after he was accused last year of sexual harassment, his deputy said on Monday.

Robert Doyle's resignation was confirmed by Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood in Melbourne.</s>Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle has resigned seven weeks after allegations of sexual harassment were made against him.

Two fellow councillors made the accusations late last year, and a draft copy of a report into the claims was presented to Cr Doyle last week.

In a statement, his lawyer, Nick Ruskin, said Cr Doyle feels he has been denied the principles of fair justice during the City of Melbourne investigation.

"Following allegations seven weeks ago, he [Cr Doyle] has been through a period which he feels has lacked a semblance of natural justice, where the burden of proof does not rest with proving guilt, but rather proving innocence," Mr Ruskin said.

On Friday it was announced the investigation into the allegations against Cr Doyle would be delayed as he grappled with serious health issues.

Mr Ruskin said Cr Doyle had since been admitted to hospital "to begin his recovery".

Cr Doyle's wife Emma Page Campbell says the allegations have brought Cr Doyle to "the brink of being broken".

A City of Melbourne spokesperson said it had been informed of Cr Doyle's resignation late Sunday evening.

"The City of Melbourne understands, via the Lord Mayor's lawyers, that the formalities of his resignation will shortly be completed and we are now operating on that basis," the spokesperson said.

The city council said the investigation into the allegations would continue.</s>Robert Doyle has quit as lord mayor of Melbourne.

He has also resigned his chairmanship of Melbourne Health.

On Sunday evening, Mr Doyle released statements from his wife, Emma Page Campbell and his lawyer, Nick Ruskin from K&L Gates, but did not speak publicly himself.

Mr Doyle has been on leave since mid-December, when fellow councillor Tessa Sullivan resigned after making explosive allegations that Mr Doyle had harassed and indecently assaulted her. Allegations from other women followed.

A Melbourne City Council spokeswoman said that an investigation led by barrister Ian Freckelton that it established in response to the allegations would continue. "We will progress the investigation as quickly as possible and ensure the facts become known to all parties," she said.

Ms Page Campbell said Mr Doyle had suffered "agony" in the seven weeks since he had stood aside.

She said she stood by her husband, and that the allegations against him were "made in an environment in which guilt is presumed over innocence".

"It would seem that the court of public opinion, and what it will deem acceptable, can win out over natural justice," she said.

Mr Doyle's lawyer Mr Ruskin said in his statement that the former lord mayor felt the seven weeks since the allegations were made had "lacked any semblance of natural justice". Mr Ruskin said the toll on the former lord mayor had been immense.

And he said Mr Doyle would "not be making any further public comment".

After Ms Sullivan resigned, the council's chief executive Ben Rimmer hired Dr Freckelton to undertake an independent investigation into the allegations.

At least four women have since made sexual harassment allegations against the former lord mayor.

They include a woman who made an official complaint about Mr Doyle repeatedly touching her leg at a gala dinner, which prompted Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy to order a second investigation be undertaken by Charles Scerri, QC.

And Melbourne photographer Dianne Mallas, alleges Mr Doyle touched her inner thigh and brushed against her breasts in 1997, at his electorate office when he was state member for Malvern.

Multiple alleged victims approached Dr Freckleton's investigation with claims of inappropriate behaviour relating to Mr Doyle's time as a school teacher, opposition leader and chairman of Melbourne Health. The exact number is unknown.</s>Robert Doyle (file) has quit as Melbourne Lord Mayor amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Robert Doyle (file) has quit as Melbourne Lord Mayor amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Robert Doyle is "very flat" says a colleague, as former premier Jeff Kennett claims the outgoing Melbourne lord mayor has been denied a presumption of innocence amid sexual misconduct claims.

Having strenuously denied allegations of harassment and indecent assault against three women, Mr Doyle relinquished his public positions late on Sunday night from his hospital bed where he is being treated for stress-related conditions.

"I do not think he has been given the presumption of innocence," former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett told ABC Radio on Monday.

"In fact, quite the reverse. He has been trialled publicly."

Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood spoke with Mr Doyle from hospital shortly before his resignation.

"It was a difficult phone call and my sympathy is with him and his family," Mr Wood told 3AW on Monday.

"There was not a lot of life in his voice."

In December, Mr Doyle, 64, faced claims of sexual harassment, indecent assault and misconduct, and stepped aside as mayor while Ian Freckleton QC launched an investigation.

A report was due at a council meeting on Tuesday, but it won't be ready as the process is still underway, Mr Wood said.

"The investigation process commenced and was undertaken from a presumption of innocence, as it should," he said in a statement issued on Monday.

"The whole purpose of the investigation is to ascertain the facts of the allegations. I cannot control the behaviour of the parties or of the media."

Mr Doyle's departure will trigger a by-election, at a date to be determined by the VEC.

The state government says Mr Doyle's role must be filled quickly.

"There will need to be quite quickly a replacement lord mayor, so we can have that leadership at a local government level for our city of Melbourne," Deputy Premier James Merlino told 3AW.

Mr Doyle has also quit as chairman of Melbourne Health.

His wife Emma Page Campbell said on Sunday her husband - a "good and decent man"- was "on the brink of being broken".

"I am disappointed that Robert has been given no benefit of the presumption of innocence - a resort to foregone conclusions, and with none of the protections afforded even to those accused of the most horrible crimes."

Melbourne councillor Tessa Sullivan quit over alleged inappropriate behaviour by Mr Doyle towards her and another woman.

A third woman later claimed Mr Doyle touched her leg under a table and made offensive remarks to her at a Melbourne Health awards ceremony in 2016.</s>Melbourne will elect a new lord mayor after Robert Doyle quit amid allegations he sexually harassed and indecently assaulted women.

Doyle resigned on Sunday night after being admitted to hospital “on the brink of being broken”, according to his wife, Emma Page Campbell. He has also quit as chairman of Melbourne Health.

He continues to strenuously deny the allegations against him.

“He is a good and decent man,” Page Campbell said in a statement. “I love him. And because I love him, to watch and share what he has been through in the last seven weeks has been agony.

“I am disappointed that Robert has been given no benefit of the presumption of innocence – a resort to foregone conclusions, and with none of the protections afforded even to those accused of the most horrible crimes.”

In December, Doyle, 64, was hit by claims of sexual harassment, indecent assault and misconduct, and stepped aside as mayor while Ian Freckleton QC launched an investigation.

The Melbourne councillor Tessa Sullivan quit over alleged inappropriate behaviour by Doyle towards her and another woman.

A third woman later claimed Doyle had touched her leg under a table and made offensive remarks to her at a Melbourne Health awards ceremony in 2016.

Doyle on Friday revealed he was suffering from stress-related “serious ill health”.

A lawyer, K&L Gates partner Nick Ruskin, said the toll the allegations had taken on his client “cannot be underestimated”.

“Following allegations seven weeks ago, he has been through a period which he feels has lacked any semblance of natural justice, where the burden of proof does not rest with proving guilt, but rather with proving innocence,” Ruskin said.

The City of Melbourne learned of Doyle’s resignation from media reports. “We will progress the conclusion of the investigation as quickly as possible and ensure the facts become known to all parties,” it said.

Councillors will discuss the Freckleton investigation at a meeting on Tuesday.

The Victorian government acknowledged Doyle’s resignation but was unable to comment further while investigations were ongoing. It said the election for a new mayor would be held at the earliest possible opportunity.</s>The Lord Mayor of Melbourne has announced his resignation after he was accused in 2017 of sexual harassment, his deputy said on Monday. Robert Doyle’s resignation was confirmed by Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood here, Efe news reported.

Doyle’s resignation comes after his lawyers advised last week that he was “suffering serious ill health” due to stress resulting from the claims. “All parties involved in these circumstances are very distressed and my thoughts are with everyone involved,” Wood said.

“We recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for Doyle, his wife Emma Page-Campbell, and his four children. We are very hopeful that he has a full and speedy recovery from his current ill health,” he added. “Additional time was required to finalise the probe into the allegations made against him,” a statement by the City of Melbourne siad.

The investigation was opened in December after Doyle was accused of sexual misconduct by Councilor Tessa Sullivan, who stepped down from her role over Doyle’s alleged behaviour.

Doyle welcomed the investigation, calling the allegations “thoroughly abhorrent”, and said he would “cooperate fully to clear (his) name”.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App</s>The Lord Mayor of Melbourne has sensationally quit amid sexual harassment allegations.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, 64, has been accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour towards former councillor Tessa Sullivan, who resigned in December last year.

Ms Sullivan claims Mr Doyle sexually harassed her on a number of occasions in 2017 including touching her breast inside a car after a council meeting.

Mr Doyle vehemently denied the claims as he stepped down from the job on Sunday.

Mr Doyle was hospitalised after his resignation, the Herald Sun reported.

A formal resignation is expected to be delivered to chief executive Ben Rimmer on Monday.

His wife Emma Page Campbell said she supported her husband, who she said was on the 'brink of being broken'.

'I stand beside him… He is a good and decent man. I love him. And because I love him, to watch and share what he has been through in the last seven weeks has been agony,' she said.

Ms Page Campbell said her husband was treated unfairly because he did not get a presumption of innocence.

‘These allegations have been made in an environment in which guilt is presumed over innocence and where there is little regard for the irreversible damage that can cause to reputation, character and legacy,’ she said.

A statement released by Mr Doyle’s lawyer on Sunday claimed a council investigation had been unjust.

‘Following allegations seven weeks ago, he has been through a period which he feels has lacked any semblance of natural justice, where the burden of proof does not rest with proving guilt, but rather with proving innocence,’ Nick Ruskin from K & L Gates said.

Mr Ruskin said the allegations took a huge toll on Mr Doyle, who continued to strenuously deny the allegations.

A new Lord Mayor could be elected as early as next month.

Mr Doyle has also been accused of sexual harassment by Greens councillor Cathy Oke.

He has denied the allegation.

The former Lord Mayor is also the subject of a separate sexual harassment investigation.

He was accused of inappropriately touching a woman at a Royal Melbourne Hospital dinner in 2016.

The woman claimed he touched her leg.

Mr Doyle, who was the chairman of Melbourne Health in 2016, strenuously denied the allegation.

A number of guests at Mr Doyle's table claimed they saw no incident.</s>Robert Doyle has quit as Melbourne Lord Mayor as he fights allegations of sexual harassment.

Robert Doyle has quit as Melbourne Lord Mayor as he fights allegations of sexual harassment.

Robert Doyle has quit as Melbourne Lord Mayor and is in hospital after being driven to the brink over sexual harassment and indecent assault allegations, his family says.

A by-election will need to be held after Mr Doyle quit the City of Melbourne on Sunday night.

His resignation comes after being admitted to hospital "on the brink of being broken", his wife Emma Page Campbell said.

"He is a good and decent man. I love him. And because I love him, to watch and share what he has been through in the last seven weeks has been agony," she said in a statement.

Mr Doyle also quit as the chairman of Melbourne Health and continues to strenuously deny the allegations.

"I am disappointed that Robert has been given no benefit of the presumption of innocence - a resort to foregone conclusions, and with none of the protections afforded even to those accused of the most horrible crimes," Ms Page Campbell said.

Mr Doyle, 64, was in December hit by claims of sexual harassment, indecent assault and misconduct, and stepped aside as mayor while Ian Freckleton QC launched an investigation.

Former Melbourne councillor Tessa Sullivan quit over alleged inappropriate behaviour by Mr Doyle against her and another woman.

A third woman in January claimed Mr Doyle touched her leg under a table and made offensive remarks to her at a Melbourne Health awards ceremony in 2016.

Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to commission a separate independent investigation into the allegations.

Mr Doyle on Friday revealed he was suffering from stress-related "serious ill health".

K&L Gates partner Nick Ruskin said the toll the allegations had taken on his client "cannot be underestimated".

"Following allegations seven weeks ago, he has been through a period which he feels has lacked any semblance of natural justice, where the burden of proof does not rest with proving guilt, but rather with proving innocence," Mr Ruskin said.

The Freckleton investigation was scheduled to be discussed by Melbourne councillors at a meeting on Tuesday night.

After Mr Doyle's lawyer alerted media to his client's resignation, the City of Melbourne said it had not received notification of it.

The Victorian government acknowledged Mr Doyle's resignation but said it would be inappropriate to comment amid the ongoing investigations.

"The Victorian Electoral Commission will conduct a by-election to fill the vacant position of Lord Mayor," a spokesman said.</s>The wife of the ex Lord Mayor of Melbourne has opened up about her pain after her husband sensationally quit his post amid sexual harassment allegations.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, 64, has been accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour towards former councillor Tessa Sullivan, who resigned in December last year.

Ms Sullivan claims Mr Doyle sexually harassed her on a number of occasions in 2017 including touching her breast inside a car after a council meeting.

Mr Doyle's wife Emma Page Campbell, 43, said she was still proud of her husband despite the allegations, saying he is a 'good and decent man'.

'And because I love him, to watch and share what he has been through in the last seven weeks has been agony.'

'I stood beside him when he stood down as leader of the Victorian Liberal Party and I stand beside him now as he relinquishes the roles of Lord Mayor and chair of Melbourne Health,' she told the Herald Sun.

Mr Doyle vehemently denied the claims as he stepped down from the job on Sunday.

The former Lord mayor was hospitalised after his resignation, the Herald Sun reported.

A formal resignation is expected to be delivered to chief executive Ben Rimmer on Monday.

It is understood Ms Page Campbell urged her husband to fight the allegations of sexual harassment made by Tessa Sullivan.

Ms Page Campbell said her husband had been treated unfairly because he was not afforded a presumption of innocence.

'These allegations have been made in an environment in which guilt is presumed over innocence and where there is little regard for the irreversible damage that can cause to reputation, character and legacy,' she said.

A statement released by Mr Doyle's lawyer on Sunday claimed a council investigation had been unjust.

'Following allegations seven weeks ago, he has been through a period which he feels has lacked any semblance of natural justice, where the burden of proof does not rest with proving guilt, but rather with proving innocence,' Nick Ruskin from K & L Gates said.

Mr Ruskin said the allegations took a huge toll on Mr Doyle, who continued to strenuously deny the allegations.

A new Lord Mayor could be elected as early as next month.

Mr Doyle has also been accused of sexual harassment by Greens councillor Cathy Oke. He has denied the allegation.

The former Lord Mayor is also the subject of a separate sexual harassment investigation.

He was accused of inappropriately touching a woman at a Royal Melbourne Hospital dinner in 2016.

The woman claimed he touched her leg.

Mr Doyle, who was the chairman of Melbourne Health in 2016, strenuously denied the allegation.

A number of guests at Mr Doyle's table claimed they saw no incident.
Robert Doyle resigns as Lord Mayor of Melbourne after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him. Melbourne City Council is investigating the allegations.