Victorian MP Moira Deeming says she didn't know what a headlock was - as she refuses to apologise to ex-Liberal leader for assault accusation after police found there was 'no offence'

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and BRETT LACKEY, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and WILLIAM TON FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 10:55, 29 June 2026 | Updated: 10:58, 29 June 2026 A Victorian MP who caused an uproar after accusing the former state Liberal leader of holding her in a 'headlock' has defiantly refused to apologise after police found 'no offence' was committed. Moira Deeming's lawyer on Monday confirmed that his client would not offer to say sorry to Liberal frontbencher Matthew Guy for accusing him of assault. The two were at a Macedonian gala dinner in Melbourne's west on May 23 when the incident unfolded. CCTV footage showed the pair seated at a table and Guy placing a hand on Deeming's back as she leaned in to speak to him. Deeming accused Guy of 'grabbing me by the back of the head and held me there in some kind of headlock', but Victoria Police last week reviewed the CCTV footage and determined 'no offence' was committed. In spite of calls from the party heads, Moira Deeming's Perth-based lawyer, Cornerstone Legal director Tim Houweling, said she will not apologise to Guy. 'Our client categorically rejects any suggestion that her complaint was falsely made and considers any such allegation to be entirely without foundation and highly defamatory,' Houweling told the Australian Financial Review. 'A decision by police not to pursue charges is not a finding that a complaint was falsely made. Conflating the two risks setting a dangerous precedent and risks discouraging future complainants from reporting conduct of concern for fear of public criticism, professional consequences or accusations of wrongdoing.' Moira Deeming (left) told her lawyer she will not apologise for accusing Matthew Guy (right) of putting her in a 'headlock' at a Macedonian gala dinner  CCTV (above) Guy placing a hand on Deeming's back as she leaned in to speak to him Both Guy and Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson have demanded Deeming apologise following the findings of police. The incident has not only threatened Deeming's chances in the upcoming state election, on November 28, but in-party fighting could cost the Liberals their chance to overthrow Labor.  Houweling said that while Deeming admitted she mistakenly misused the word 'headlock' in her complaint, she had made the report in 'good faith and only as a matter of last resort'. 'She accepts that she misunderstood the technical meaning of the term ''headlock'' but maintains that she used it in good faith to describe what happened,' Houweling said. 'The publicly available footage shows Mr Guy pulling her towards him while maintaining a grip around her neck and upper shoulder area as she attempted to pull away, preventing her from freely moving her head for several seconds.' The lawyer added the complaint had been made on Deeming's own recollection of the incident and she only reviewed CCTV when it was made publicly available last week.  Guy strenuously denied any allegations of assault to colleagues and, according to The Age, was not questioned by police.  'These claims were ridiculous and unsubstantiated, just as the police found,' Guy told the publication. Deeming's (above) lawyer said she made the complaint in 'good faith' but admitted she'd misused the word 'headlock' Victoria Police issued a statement revealing its investigation was complete late on Thursday night. 'Police have concluded an investigation following reports of an assault at a function venue on Sommerville Road in Sunshine West on 23 May,' police said. 'It was reported a woman was assaulted by a man at an event. The woman did not require medical attention, and the incident was reported to police on 16 June. 'Following a thorough investigation, it has been determined there was no offence detected. 'Investigators have engaged with the woman who made the report.'  Deeming has been in London for a conservative political conference and is due to return to Melbourne on Tuesday. Her lawyer said she has agreed to meet with senior Liberals upon her return. Victorian Liberals leader Wilson on Monday said she expected Deeming to apologise to Guy. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.