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Health minister apologises to aide over behaviour

07/09/2008

A junior health minister has apologised "unreservedly" to one of his aides for his behaviour towards her during their time working together.

MP Ivan Lewis had employed a female civil servant to work at his office, who later complained to her managers over incidents during her employment at the office.

The Department of Health issued a statement saying no formal complaint had been made against Mr Lewis by the unidentified woman, adding that the issue had been resolved.

The statement said: "In 2007 a member of staff in the private office of Ivan Lewis informed her managers that she was unhappy with the nature of her working relationship with the minister.

"The situation was handled professionally and sensitively in full accordance with the employee's wishes. She raised no formal complaint against the minister and, as indicated, all the actions to resolve the matter were agreed with her.

"It was in that context that the decision was taken at the time not to pursue the matter further. At her request she left the minister's office and was given another job in the department. She was a hard-working, extremely competent employee and we were sad to see her subsequently leave the Department of Health.

"The minister in question apologises unreservedly."

Mr Lewis has served as MP for his constituency of Bury South since 1997. He has served in the treasury, the department of education and is currently responsible for social care and mental health.

Press reports in the tabloid and broadsheet media have claimed that Mr Lewis allegedly sent repeated text messages to the unnamed aide.