MLA at centre of cocaine sex scandal speaks for the first time

The NT Labor MLA at the centre of the alleged cocaine sex scandal has spoken for the first time, confirming he has carried out an “inappopriate” extramarital affair.

Member for Blain Mark Turner in Parliament on Tuesday.

THE Labor MLA at the centre of the alleged cocaine sex scandal has spoken for the first time, saying any suggestion he had participated in illegal activity was “categorically false”.

Blain MLA Mark Turner, in a late night speech to parliament, confirmed he was at the centre of “rumour and gossip” and confirmed he had been in a “friendship” with the woman who spoke publicly about the tryst.

But Mr Turner, a married father of five children who is a regular at a local church every Sunday, said any suggestion he had been involved in illegal activity was “categorically false”.

He also suggested the woman’s personal and private information had been “stolen”.

Mr Turner apologised to the people in his electorate for the distraction the situation had caused, saying he would work every day to keep earning their trust.

“It is my view that online rumours should stay in the dark corners of the internet and not dredged up in the parliament theatre to do otherwise sets a very dangerous precedent for all of us,” he said.

“I’ve been speaking to the Chief Minister this week, and I’m grateful to him, and my caucus colleagues for their support for their view that untrue rumours should not be given public credibility.

“And for the desire to protect my family from public embarrassment.”

Mr Turner confirmed he had been in a “friendship” with the woman and had “exchanged general conversation” including “intimate conversation”.

“I do not recall the details of every conversation,” he said.

“I accept that there were aspects of our friendship in the past that were not appropriate, because they were too intimate.

“It was not illegal, it was consensual, it was respectful, but not appropriate.”

Mr Turner asked that his family be given the privacy they collectively need to work through the matter.