One Nation Senate hope Steve Dickson resigns over strip club footage

An emotional Pauline Hanson has accepted the resignation of her party’s Queensland leader and Senate hopeful Steve Dickson after shock revelations of lewd comments and behaviour at a US strip club, which aired in secret footage last night.

An emotional Pauline Hanson has accepted the resignation of her party’s Queensland leader and Senate hopeful Steve Dickson after shock revelations of lewd comments and behaviour at a US strip club, which aired in secret footage last night.

One Nation addresses explosive footage released from meeting with NRA

Mr Dickson, who was standing for the Senate at the May 18 election, released a statement this morning saying he wanted to apologise for the behaviour aired on television last night “as a result of the Al Jazeera covert operation”.

“The footage shown does not reflect the person I am. It shows a person who was drunk and not in control of his actions and I take full responsibility for allowing that to happen,” the statement reads.

Secret footage aired last night revealed the Queensland One Nation leader groping women, putting dollar bills between their breasts and shouting lewd comments on a night out in Washington D.C.

A still from the video footage of Steve Dickson in the American strip club. Picture: Channel 9

One Nation party official Steve Dickson has resigned following revelations of his behaviour at a US strip club. Picture: Channel 9

In a string of X-rated comments, the 56-year-old is heard referring to women’s breasts as “big kahunas” and “titty”.

The video obtained by A Current Affair is leaked footage from the Al Jazeera sting that also revealed the party sought money from pro-gun groups and floated watering down Australia’s gun laws.

Pauline Hanson’s right-hand man who campaigns on upholding family values is seen caressing women’s bosoms and buttocks, all while wearing his gold wedding ring.

“There’s a reason we come to DC,” Mr Dickson said.

He then begins placing dollar bills between the woman’s thighs, alluding to more than just a lap dance.

“She’s keen I think … I am going to give her my address,” he said.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson at this morning’s press conference west of Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston.

He says at one point, “I’ve done more Asian than I know what to do with”.

Mr Dickson remarks: “I am going to give her my address. She can come and **** me.”

He says of one dancer, “she’s ******* beautiful”.

In his statement this morning, Mr Dickson said he was deeply remorseful for his “disrespectful” comments towards women.

“I found the footage difficult to watch as my words and actions under intoxication and in that environment, are not a true reflection of myself,” the statement says.

Steve Dickson says he remembers little of the night at the strip club but takes responsibility for his actions. File picture

He says he has little recollection of the night in question.

In the final line of his statement, Mr Dickson asked that his family’s privacy be respected, given that he is no longer of “pubic” [sic] interest.

Senator Hanson, who in past statements has described Mr Dickson as a close friend, is understood to be disgusted by Mr Dickson’s behaviour.

The One Nation Leader did not comment overnight but at a press conference this morning said she was “deeply upset” about Mr Dickson’s actions.

‘I am both shocked and disappointed at the vision I forced myself to watch ... I’ve always spoken very highly of Steve Dickson but the footage I saw last night cannot be ignored or condoned,” she said.

“I am both a mother of three boys and the only female leader of a political party in this country. I wouldn’t tolerate my own children behaving this way towards women and I cannot and will not condone my own candidates dealing with women in this fashion either.”

Ms Hanson lashed out at Middle Eastern broadcaster Al Jazeera, alleging they were attempting to sabotage One Nation’s election campaign.

“Al Jazeera, which is funded by the Islamist Qatari government, have sat on this information and footage for over seven months and conveniently gave the tapes to A Current Affair less than three weeks out from a federal election.”

She stormed away from the press conference after she was questioned about previously released footage of Dickson and One Nation chief of staff James Ashby discussing Australia’s gun laws with the NRA.

Despite his resignation, Mr Dickson’s name will still appear on the Senate ballot.

Mr Dickson has previously stated that he was “on the sauce” during the visits to the US, saying that alcohol was a factor for his behaviour and remarks.

Mr Dickson and Mr Ashby went to the US to meet with the NRA, organised by Al-Jazeera journalist Rodger Muller who was posing as an Australian gun rights lobbyist.

At one point in footage later released they say with $10 million they could win eight Senate seats and hold the balance of power, while another while on the way to meet representatives of Koch industries, Mr Ashby suggests they should seek $20 million.

Dickson is a former Liberal MP for the Queensland electorates of Kawana and Buderim, on the Sunshine Coast.

He served as sports, national parks and racing minister for former Queensland premier Campbell Newman between 2012 and 2015.