Greens Senator Steele-John Denies Inappropriate Conduct Allegations

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has vehemently denied allegations of inappropriate conduct raised in a letter to the Greens, which he claims include false allegations of sexual assault. The senator has attributed the public fallout from the allegations to party "factionalism".

The Greens have been in crisis management since a 47-page dossier surfaced about how the WA Greens would manage media coverage of allegations made about Senator Steele-John. It was reported that Senator Steele-John had taken leave from the party room after a letter from seven party members was sent to the office of Greens leader David Shoebridge.

According to reports, the letter alleged the writers were aware of "multiple allegations" about his behaviour in the presence of women, although none of the writers was said to have direct knowledge of "the matters involved", according to Senator Shoebridge.

In a public statement on social media, Senator Steele-John said, among the false allegations made against him, was an allegation of sexual assault, which police had investigated and made no adverse findings against him, with a finding of no charges. "He said that, with respect to that complaint, he had faced abuse and threats before the original complaint to police was made."

Senator Steele-John addressed several other allegations which he said were put to him by a journalist, which are now the subject of an internal Greens investigation.

"This phrase, which mocked my disability and my emotions, had taken on a new, more sinister meaning: that I had treated women inappropriately."

The senator said his experience as a victim of abuse had collided with "political games", and denied he had taken leave after the allegations surfaced.

"I had hoped to be able to share all of this when I was ready, but because of a political clique in Greens WA and a leader facing his first serious test of leadership, I feel that the silence of self-protection will be [and has been] perceived as the silence of guilt," he said.

The senator claimed an "unofficial faction" of the Greens WA branch had released a letter detailing the allegations against him.

"This is not accountability. It is factionalism, and it has no place in the Greens," he said.

In a statement, a Greens WA party spokesperson said they were "putting together an independent process to assess the allegations".

"To ensure the integrity of that process, we will not be commenting further at this time," the spokesperson said.

Senator Steele-John said he had asked Senator Shoebridge "not to announce that I had requested leave" as it would appear to validate the allegations against him.

"I had expected him to recognise that absent any specific allegations, there was no procedural need for me to take leave of any kind," Senator Steele-John said.

"It was a bad call from David. We've all made those in politics."

Senator Shoebridge's office has been contacted for comment.