Minister Adem Somyurek quits over staff bullying claims

VICTORIAN Small Business Minister Adem Somyurek has been forced to resign after an investigation found he had “physical contact” with staff.

Somyurek stalking. Small Business Minister Adem Somyurek

VICTORIAN Small Business Minister Adem Somyurek has been forced to resign after an investigation found he bullied and intimidated staff.

A report handed to the premier said the upper house MP had had “physical contact” with a female member of staff, while another staff member was sacked for standing up for a colleague.

The incident was the subject of a two month investigation.

Premier Daniel Andrews said he had lost confidence in Mr Somyurek and he would be replaced.

“I am deeply disappointed by the result of this investigation,” he told the Herald Sun.

“I have maintained my innocence all along, and I continue to.”

It is believed Mr Somyurek announced his decision at a Cabinet meeting and the South Eastern Metro MP move to the backbench of the Legislative Council.

But Mr Somyurek said a union revenge plot was behind the bullying allegations.

The upper house MP said leaving the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association in February had brought the union’s wrath upon his head.

“We knew there would be payback, we had no idea this payback would be so extreme,” Mr Somyurek told reporters.

More to come ...