LABOUR MP Ivan Lewis has responded after it emerged he is being investigated by his party.

The Bury South representative apologised if his previous conduct towards colleagues caused them discomfort but stressed he has always sought to behave with integrity.

The Labour Party yesterday confirmed Mr Lewis is under investigation following a sexual harassment complaint.

A statement issued by his lawyer last night said: "Mr Lewis has previously acknowledged that on some occasions his invitations to people he works with to join him for dinner or drinks have made them feel uncomfortable.

"He apologises if this caused them discomfort and if he underestimated the impact his invitations to drinks or dinner could have.

"He has always sought to behave with integrity and is genuinely sorry if he got it wrong in some circumstances. "He fully supports the rights of women to raise these issues, and stresses his commitment to equality and fairness in the workplace."

Mr Lewis has announced he is stepping down from his role with Andy Burnham’s team, which is tackling rough sleeping.

The Bury South MP was appointed the joint lead to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness in May. 

Mr Lewis has decided to step down from his role and hopes to resume his position at a later date.

He said: "In view of recent press stories I feel it is right that for the time being I step down from my role as the Greater Manchester Mayor's joint lead for Rough Sleeping and Homelessness. 

"Nothing should be allowed to distract from the vital work which is necessary to deliver Andy Burnham's excellent commitments on these vital issues. 

"I'm very proud of the work I have done with the many excellent frontline organisations and people with lived experience of homelessness to help put in place a plan which I believe can ensure no one should have to sleep on the streets of Greater Manchester by 2020.

"I will continue to prioritise the issues of rough sleeping and homelessness in my work as an MP locally and in Parliament.

"In the future, I hope to be able to resume my duties on behalf of the Mayor."

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, has been approached for a comment.

Earlier this month, the Bury South representative denied claims he sexually harassed a 19-year-old woman.

Mr Lewis had been accused by the woman who said he touched her leg and invited her back to his house in 2010.

Amid an escalating sexual harassment scandal in Westminster, Mr Lewis previously said that he was 'appalled' by the accusations against him, but admitted that he knew some women found his behaviour 'uncomfortable'.

The 50-year-old MP served as a minister in the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown governments, and was a shadow minister under Ed Miliband's leadership.

The party said it was confident it has robust internal procedures to appropriately deal with serious allegations of this nature and take any action necessary to ensure members are effectively safeguarded.

A Labour Party spokesman said in a statement on Wednesday night: "The Labour Party takes all allegations of sexual harassment extremely seriously and all complaints are investigated in line with our robust procedures. Ivan Lewis is currently under investigation following the receipt of a complaint."

A sexual harassment panel of the National Executive Committee (NEC) - the Labour Party's chief administrative body - will deal will the complaint.

Legal expert Karon Monaghan QC will undertake an independent investigation into the Labour Party's handling of the allegations made, and later produce a report on her findings.