Federal NDP leader 'deeply disturbed' by allegations against Peter Stoffer

Federal NDPLeader Jagmeet Singh said Thursday night he is "deeply disturbed" by allegations made against former long-time Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer.

Former party member Lauren Dobson-Hughes told the National Post that Stofferhad twice forced kisses on her, allegations Stoffer strongly denies in the article.

Despite taking her complaints to the party leadership, Dobson-Hughes says no formal action was taken against Stoffer.

CBCNews has been unable to speak withStoffer or Dobson-Hughes.

On Twitter, Dobson-Hugheswrote that she would not answer any more questions about Stoffer.

"He got away with shocking behaviour this piece isthe tip of the iceberg and we all know it," she wrote.

"I believe the women who have come forward and I want to acknowledge their courage and strength," Singh wrote in a post Thursday evening. "It's clear our anti-harassment policies and protections for workers were insufficient and failed to appropriately deal with this behaviour."

Singh wrote that the NDPwould review its policies and was committed to changing the culture in and around Parliament Hill.

"Men in position of power must take responsibility for creating safe spaces free from any form of harassment orsexual violence," he wrote.

Stofferserved as an NDP MP for 18 years, but lost theSackville-Preston-Chezzetcookseat in the 2015 election.

He later went to work for Trauma Healing Centers, an organization that helps veterans suffering from trauma such as PTSD.