The legal inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle is on hold due to the subject's "serious" illness.

Last year, Councillor Tessa Sullivan resigned and accused Doyle of sexual harassment and indecent assault.  Then, Councillor Cathy Oke alleged to investigators that Doyle had once tried to kiss her and on another occasion had clutched her thigh under a table.  This was followed by a third woman who told Fairfax Media that Doyle sexually allegedly harassed her at the Melbourne Health medical awards ceremony in 2016.  Doyle, Melbourne's longest-serving mayor, went on extended leave in December.

"We support the Lord Mayor's focus on his health and we are very hopeful that he makes a full and speedy recovery," said Council Chief Executive Ben Rimmer.  "We are very much aware it is in the interests of everyone involved that the investigative and reporting processes are thorough and completed as quickly as possible," he added.

The city of Melbourne issued a statement saying its investigation into Doyle would report in two stages owing to his poor health.