Will Fowles: Victorian Labor MP is arrested over alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne hotel

A Victorian MP who was expelled from the parliamentary Labor Party after being accused of assaulting a woman has been arrested by police over the alleged incident.

Former Ringwood MP Will Fowles resigned in August after then-Premier Daniel Andrews’ office received information from a government official about an alleged serious assault by the politician.

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad had served an arrest warrant at an address in Ringwood on October 12 as part of an ongoing investigation into an incident in Melbourne’s CBD.

Mr Fowles, 45, was arrested at the property and interviewed by police.

“He was released without charge pending further investigation,” the spokesperson said.

“As the investigation is ongoing and given the sensitive nature of the matter, we will not be commenting further at this time.”

It is understood the allegations against Mr Fowles relate to an incident that allegedly took place at the Melbourne CBD hotel.

Mr Fowles had been drinking at the bar in Parliament before going to the hotel.

In August, after the alleged incident, Andrews said he had “requested and received the resignation of the member from the Parliamentary Labor Party”.

“The well-being of staff and their right to a safe workplace is non-negotiable.”

The incident was referred to police by the Prime Minister’s Office following an internal investigation into the allegations.

Mr Fowles, a father of four, is pictured with his wife Jessica after a press conference in 2019

Mr Fowles has previously denied the allegations.

In September he announced that he would not attend parliamentary meetings until a police investigation was completed.

Mr. Fowles’ office was contacted for comment on Tuesday.

Mr Fowles was elected to the seat of Ringwood, in Melbourne’s east, in 2018.