NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has said he’s asked an MP to resign his position and step aside from the party room after the man was accused of rape.
Nationals MP Michael Johnsen revealed on Wednesday night he was the state member of parliament who was under police investigation for alleged rape.
He denied the accusation, issuing a statement claiming he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
The allegations were made public by Labor’s Shadow Minister for Women, Trish Doyle, who told parliament she had been contacted by a sex worker in her Blue Mountains electorate with information a government MP allegedly raped her.
“In light of the police investigation and upon learning of allegations against the Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen, I sought Mr Johnsen’s resignation from his role as Parliamentary Secretary and he duly resigned,” Mr Barilaro said in a statement issued around 5.30am Thursday.
“Mr Johnsen also agreed to no longer sit in Nationals Party Room nor Joint Party Room while the police investigation is underway.”
Appearing on 2GB later on Thursday morning, Mr Barilaro described the chain of events that happened immediately after Ms Doyle’s speech, revealing he spoke to both the accused MP and Premier Gladys Berejiklian before Mr Johnsen broke his silence.
“Last night about 7 o’clock, a member of my office staff was alerted that there was a rumor going on, I suppose is the word, that Michael Johnsen is the individual that was referred to in the address by the member from the Blue Mountains.”
“I missed that address, I was in some meetings. And that was the first time I got to hear or understand the allegations and incident, and that Michael’s name was being put around as the possible individual.
“I rang Michael at 7.20pm, so within 20 minutes, I rang Michael to ask him directly. After that conversation I had a conversation with the Premier and also had a conversation with my leadership team.”
Mr Johnsen said in his statement, sent shortly before 10pm on Wednesday, that he was co-operating with police and that he would take leave “immediately for a short duration”.
“I am confident any investigation will conclude that I am an innocent party,” he said.
According to Mr Johnsen, he made the choice himself to step aside as parliamentary secretary for agriculture.
“Without admission, I have chosen to step aside from my Parliamentary Secretary role, and will not sit in the Nationals Party Room nor the Joint Party Room.”
NSW Police confirmed they are investigating.
“Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad are investigating allegations of sexual violence against a woman in the Blue Mountains in September 2019,” police said in a statement.
“The matter was reported and referred to the squad in late September 2020 and has been under investigation since. As the inquiries are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide any further details.”
According to the allegations aired by Ms Doyle in Parliament, the sex worker came in contact with the MP over the website Locanto and had agreed to oral sex.
But after meeting him at a secluded spot in the Blue Mountains, she alleged he assaulted her by forcing himself on her in a way she hadn’t consented to.
“This assault has had terrible consequences for the woman’s mental health and wellbeing,” Ms Doyle said under parliamentary privilege.
More to come.
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2021-03-24 20:52:35Z
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