Australian senator removed from Liberal Party room following sexual assault allegations

Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton removed Senator David Van from the Liberal party room on Thursday, June 15, following comments made by independent Senator Lidia Thorpe in the Senate on Wednesday. “Since the airing of Senator Thorpe’s allegation yesterday, further allegations in relation to Senator Van have been brought to my attention overnight and this morning,” Dutton said in a statement on Thursday. “As such, I met with Senator Van this morning and a short time ago I advised Senator Van of my decision that he should no longer sit in the Liberal Party Party Room.” Credit: Parliament of Australia via Storyful