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Eleanor Wilson

Outspoken MP quits Liberals after 'headlock' fiasco

Moira Deeming is moving to the crossbench as an independent after being disendorsed by the Liberals. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Outspoken MP Moira Deeming has quit the Victorian Liberal Party to become an independent for the remainer of the parliamentary term.

The upper house MP on Tuesday confirmed she would sit on the crossbench after the Liberal Party disendorsed her as a candidate for the Western Metropolitan region in the November state election.

"My focus has always been, and will continue to be, on representing the needs and concerns of everyday Australians," Mrs Deeming said in a statement.

Moira Deeming (file image)
Moira Deeming has been a polarising figure within the Victorian Liberal Party. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

"I was elected to fight for freedom, fair laws, and families.

"To save our state from the endemic corruption, crushing debt, and the rising crime crisis, Labor has got to go."

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson confirmed she had received Mrs Deeming's resignation.

The state executive revoked Mrs Deeming's candidacy in an unanimous vote on July 18 after she declined to apologise over unsubstantiated claims of violence against former leader Matthew Guy.

Moira Deeming, Matthew Guy and Jess Wilson
Moira Deeming's claims against Matthew Guy caused headaches for Liberal leader Jess Wilson. (HANDOUT/SUPPLIED)

The MP accused Mr Guy of grabbing her ''violently'' in a headlock at a community event in May, but later claimed she misunderstood the meaning of "headlock''.

Mr Guy told reporters in June that Mrs Deeming owed him a public apology, vehemently denying anything untoward took place.

A police investigation concluded no offence was detected at the event.

Mrs Deeming has not indicated whether she will run as a candidate in the November election.

She successfully sued former leader John Pesutto for defamation in 2024 when he implied she was associated with neo-Nazis after they gatecrashed a rally at parliament she attended.

It caused Mr Pesutto to lose the leadership and paved the way for her to return to the parliamentary Liberal fold.

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