Labour has stepped up its investigations into allegations of inappropriate behaviour against two MPs, it is understood.

Kelvin Hopkins and Ivan Lewis have been referred to the party’s constitutional committee for a full hearing into complaints made against them.

The men were among a number of Labour and Tory MPs to be investigated after allegations of Westminster sleaze last year.

Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins (John Stilwell/PA)
Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins (John Stilwell/PA)

Commenting on Mr Lewis’s case, a Labour spokesman said: “After consideration of statements provided by the complainant and the respondent, the NEC’s (national executive committee) sexual harassment panel has agreed that on the balance of the evidence the matter should be referred to a full hearing of the national constitutional committee.

“The Labour Party will not be commenting further on this case until the conclusion of that hearing.”

Mr Lewis was suspended in November following a complaint about his conduct.

Earlier that month BuzzFeed News reported that a woman alleged the Bury South MP had touched her leg and invited her to his house when she was 19 at a Labour Party event in 2010.

A statement issued through his lawyers at the time said Mr Lewis had “never made non-consensual sexual comments or sexual advances to women”.

He added: “However, I understand that a few women have claimed that my behaviour made them feel uncomfortable.

“I have on occasion asked women I work with out for drinks or dinner, or developed strong feelings for them, and I am genuinely sorry if this was unwelcome or inappropriate in the circumstances, and caused anyone to feel awkward.”

Labour did not comment on Mr Hopkins’ case, but it is understood he has also been referred to the National Constitutional Committee.

Ava Etemadzadeh, 27, claims that the 76-year-old Luton North MP acted inappropriately and sent her suggestive text messages after they met at a student event in 2014 – something which he categorically denies.

Mr Hopkins was reprimanded after she initially complained in 2015, but was later promoted by Jeremy Corbyn to his shadow cabinet.

The long-serving left-winger, who returned to the backbenches last year, is now suspended from the party pending investigation of Ms Etemadzadeh’s complaint and separate allegations by MP Kerry McCarthy of unwanted attention over a number of years.