Theophanous shocked by rape accusation
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Theo Theophanous... shocked by the accusations (ABC TV)
Victorian Labor MP Theo Theophanous has hit back at newspaper reports accusing him of raping a woman a decade ago.
Mr Theophanous released a statement late this afternoon saying he is shocked by the accusations.
In the release, the Minister says that "rape is a horrendous crime, and that to be wrongly accused of such a crime is deeply harmful to him and his family".
"When I stepped aside from the ministry two days ago I put my trust in due process, and in the police dealing with this inquiry in a way that was fair to all parties. Instead, I have found myself subject to ongoing reports attributed to 'sources', and now I face the most distressing direct accusations through the press," he said in the statement.
"In the strongest possible terms I refute allegations of any wrongdoing and will vigorously defend my innocence."
Newspaper reports allege Mr Theophanous raped a woman late one night in 1998 at Parliament House.
He says he hopes his side can be considered through a process which is fair and just.
"All of these allegations and reports are unbelievably hurtful and devastating to me and to my family. The public airing of these allegations prejudices what should be a fair process. This has occurred before I have had the opportunity to be interviewed by police," he said.
"I believe that if this matter is properly dealt with through due process, I will be found innocent of any wrongdoing. The facts will come out if a proper process occurs of allowing police to take evidence and weigh up the issues free of media attention."
Mr Theophanous says he does not wish to state his case through the media, but is concerned information has been leaked to establish a civil action for damages, whether or not he is charged with any offence.
He says he has "nothing to fear from the truth".
Premier John Brumby says he was shocked to read about the rape accusations this morning.
