Luke Foley announces resignation after Ashleigh Raper accused NSW Opposition Leader of harassment
Luke Foley has resigned as NSW Labor leader, but denies a journalist’s allegations as police speak to ABC management.
Luke Foley has resigned after the journalist at the centre of the sexual harassment scandal put out a statement claiming she was harassed by the then NSW Opposition Leader.
He maintained the allegations made by ABC reporter Ashleigh Raper were false and announced he was commencing defamation proceedings.
“The first thing I’d like to say is the allegations made against me today made public by the ABC are false.
“I’ve retained solicitors and Senior Counsel to advise on the immediate commencement of defamation proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia.
“However, I can’t fight to clear my name and fight an election at the same time. It’s just not possible to do both. Therefore I’m resigning the leadership of the Labor party effective today.
“This will enable a new leader to give his or her full attention to the task of defeating the Liberal National government.
“I’ll be remaining as the member for Auburn and returning to the backbench.”
Detectives talk to ABC
NSW detectives have spoken to senior ABC management about allegations by Ms Raper that she was the victim on inappropriate touching by the former NSW Labor Leader.
Police cannot investigate or lay charges against Mr Foley unless Ms Raper makes a formal complaint to police.
A NSW spokesperson said tonight: “The reporter has not made a complaint or provided a statement to NSW Police Force at this stage.
“NSW Police have however spoken to senior management at the ABC.
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“If a complaint is received the matter will be taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated by detectives as would any allegation of this nature.”
Police sources said given the nature of the allegation the potential charges could range from a lower category sexual assault to indecent assault.
Following Mr Foley’s press conference, the ABC said: “The ABC stands by the statement and by Ms Raper and has no further comment.”
@AshleighRaper is a strong and honest person. The ABC stands by this statement. https://t.co/Hhv8KKNZNe
— Gaven Morris (@gavmorris) November 8, 2018
Labor’s response
Earlier, NSW Labor MP Trish Doyle publicly called for Mr Foley’s resignation.
“The allegations are serious and unacceptable, his position is untenable and he must resign today … In the event that he refuses to resign, I will call for a spill of the NSW Labor Leadership.”
Bill Shorten told reporters in Perth he had not yet seen Ms Raper’s statement and that he wanted to get “the facts” before commenting on Mr Foley or his future.
“I’m not going to start commenting on serious matters like that without getting the facts … I appreciate it’s a serious matter but I’m unable to assist,” the federal Opposition Leader said.
“It’s an issue for Mr Foley.”
The view is that a caucus meeting could be held tomorrow or Saturday to elect the new leader, expected to be deputy leader Michael Daley.
Reporter releases statement
The statement, released by Ms Raper through ABC media, alleges Mr Foley groped her and touched her inappropriately at a Christmas function in 2016.
When The Australian first raised the matter with Mr Foley’s office in April, his office originally said he “could not remember” and then threatened to sue The Australian.
Mr Foley has repeatedly denied the allegation.
The statement says he told Ms Raper he would resign over the incident and then reneged.
“This is a position I never wanted to be in and a statement I never intended to make,” Ms Raper says.
“But I think the time has come for my voice to be heard, for the following reasons:
“The escalation of the public debate, including in state and federal parliament, despite my expressed wish to neither comment nor complain, and the likelihood of ongoing media and political interest.
“Two recent phone conversations with the Leader of the New South Wales Opposition Luke Foley.
“To set the record straight.
“In November 2016 I attended an official Christmas function at New South Wales Parliament House for state political reporters, politicians and their staff.
“This is what happened on that night.
“The party moved from Parliament House to Martin Place Bar after a number of hours.
“Later in the evening, Luke Foley approached a group of people, including me, to say goodnight.
“He stood next to me.
“He put his hand through a gap in the back of my dress and inside my underpants.
“He rested his hand on my buttocks.
“I completely froze.
“This was witnessed by Sean Nicholls, who was then the state political editor at the Sydney Morning Herald and is now an ABC journalist.
“Mr Foley then left the bar.
“Sean and I discussed what happened.
“As shaken as I was, I decided not to take any action and asked Sean to keep the events in the strictest confidence.
“He has honoured that.
“I chose not to make a complaint for a number of reasons.
“It is clear to me that a woman who is the subject of such behaviour is often the person who suffers once a complaint is made.
“I cherished my position as a state political reporter and feared that would be lost.
“I also feared the negative impact the publicity could have on me personally and on my young family.
With @AshleighRaper & Erin-Jean Norvill, I hope they go on to glorious things re their careers. Speaking out takes huge courage & the risks to a career are enormous. Both are articulating difficult things re powerful men-@Luke_FoleyNSW-while changing the culture for us all. Bravo
— Nikki Gemmell (@NikkiGemmell) November 8, 2018
“This impact is now being felt profoundly.
“When a reporter contacted me earlier this year after hearing about the incident, I informed ABC news management about Mr Foley’s actions.
“I told them I didn’t wish to make a complaint or for any further action to be taken.
“They respected my request for privacy and have offered me nothing but their absolute care and support.
“David Elliot raised the matter in the New South Wales parliament last month, putting the incident in the public domain.
“The matter then became a state and federal political issue and resulted in intense media attention.
“This occurred without my involvement or consent.
“Last Sunday (4 November) Luke Foley called me on my mobile phone and we had a conversation that lasted 19 minutes.
It’s an appalling position to be in, and absolutely involuntarily at that. I’m terribly sorry that my colleague has had to cope with this and I wish her all the best. https://t.co/tj2RxvpGrc
— Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb) November 8, 2018
“He said he was sorry and that he was full of remorse for his behaviour towards me at the Press Gallery Christmas function in November 2016.
“He told me that he had wanted to talk to me about that night on many occasions over the past two years because, while he was drunk and couldn’t remember all the details of the night, he knew he did something to offend me.
“He apologised again and told me, “I’m not a philanderer, I’m not a groper, I’m just a drunk idiot”.
“He said he would be resigning as the leader of the New South Wales Labor Party on either the next day (Monday, 5 November) or Wednesday (7 November).
“He said he couldn’t resign on the Tuesday because it was Melbourne Cup Day and he didn’t want to be accused of burying the story.
Female reporters have the right to do their job without sexual harassment and assault. The public pressure that has been applied to @AshleighRaper to speak publicly has been disgraceful and toxic. It is her story and it has been exploited for political gain. #auspol
— PatriciaKarvelas (@PatsKarvelas) November 8, 2018
“On Tuesday (6 November) Mr Foley called me again.
“He repeated his apology and told me he owed me “a lot of contrition”.
“He informed me he’d received legal advice not to resign as Opposition Leader.
“He indicated he intended to follow that advice.
“There are three things I want to come from my decision to make this statement.
“First, women should be able to go about their professional lives and socialise without being subject to this sort of behaviour.
Bravo to my @abcnews colleague Ashleigh Raper. Too right - women should not be subject to this behaviour under any circumstance and saying you were drunk does not excuse lecherous conduct https://t.co/VvtAiyKTuO
— Emma Alberici (@albericie) November 8, 2018
“And I want it to stop.
“Second, situations like mine should not be discussed in parliament for the sake of political point scoring.
“And I want it to stop.”
The ABC said: In response to media reports and comments made in the NSW and federal parliaments about an incident in November 2016 involving an ABC journalist and the NSW Leader of the Opposition, Mr Luke Foley, the ABC makes the following statement.
The ABC’s first priority is and always has been the welfare of our employee, journalist Ashleigh Raper. ABC management first became aware of the matter following media inquiries in April this year. At this time ABC management spoke with Ms Raper, who made it clear she did not wish to make a formal complaint or take any action and wished the matter to remain confidential. The ABC respected her wishes but took all steps to ensure Ms Raper received complete management support.
In February 2018, Ms Raper asked to be reassigned from state parliament to general reporting shifts for reasons unrelated to the incident and before media inquiries were received. There has been no change to the work assignments given to Ms Raper. There is absolutely no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Ms Raper and her career should not be affected in any way.
Ms Raper has today decided to issue a personal statement, which can be read below.
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