Reasons, no excuses: Fowles reveals drug, alcohol addiction after hotel rampage

Victorian MP Will Fowles will take leave from politics as he fights addiction and mental health issues.

A man who claimed to be an MP leaving the Abode Apartments in Kingston. Picture: Sean Davey.

Under siege Andrews government MP Will Fowles will take leave from politics, revealing he was combating drug and alcohol addiction.

Mr Fowles said he had been dealing with addiction and mental health issues “for a long time” and had recently commenced a course in drug and alcohol counselling.

He said he had medication in the luggage that was locked in the room of the Abode Hotel in Canberra, leading him to kick down the door and damage it.

“I unreservedly apologise to the staff at the Abode Hotel, my constituents, my parliamentary colleagues, and my family for my appalling behaviour in Canberra earlier today,” Mr Fowles said in a statement.

“What happened is unacceptable. I am deeply ashamed of my actions. While there are reasons for it, there are no excuses.

“I have, for a long time, been dealing with addiction and other mental health issues. Medication I take was in my luggage, which was locked in a room that I was not able to access, as no staff were on-site.

“I have recently undertaken a course of drug and alcohol counselling and will now get the treatment I need to become a better person.

“I will take a leave of absence to properly deal with my health issues.”

Mr Fowles said he would pay for the damage to the hotel.

“I was in Canberra to attend the first speeches in support of my Victorian colleagues and the trip was privately funded,” he said.

Albanese won’t ask for resignation

Earlier, Anthony Albanese labelled Mr Fowles’ rampage in a Canberra hotel “totally inappropriate” but said he would not call on him to stand down.

Mr Fowles — one of the state MPs swept into office by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ landslide victory last year — “apologised unreservedly” for destroying a door in the Abode Apartments complex in Kingston.

The Opposition Leader said today he would not call on Mr Fowles to resign because the matter was still before the police, but warned the rogue state MP he would be “held to account.”

“I understand that it’s before the police and that’s appropriate. It’s appropriate that people who are elected to public office act in a reasonable manner at all times,” he said in Canberra today.

“I don’t know all the details but it would appear from the footage in question that it’s totally inappropriate behaviour.

“Because it’s being investigated by the police, it’s not up to me to make final determinations on it.

“It’s a huge mistake and he’ll be held to account.”

Mr Fowles earlier apologised for his behaviour after landing at Melbourne Airport.

“This morning I made a very bad mistake … This has been a very distressing morning and I will make a further statement later today,” he told The Herald Sun.

Mr Fowles was among MPs swept into office by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ landslide victory in last November’s state election. The Premier has been approached for comment.

Will Fowles is taken by police from Abode Apartments. Picture: Sean Davey.

MP held for destroying door

The Australian understands Mr Fowles told a hotel receptionist: “I’m a member of parliament, I’m a member of parliament.”

So here’s the latest. A politician (I don’t know who) has gone into a rage after discovering he couldn’t access his luggage. Police say he’s now calmed down but is facing charges. pic.twitter.com/VRKu5p2s2t

— Kellie Sloane (@kelliesloane) July 24, 2019

Former NSW Life Education chief executive Kelli Sloane tweeted that the man was “Melbourne bound.” Sources close to the government say he is not a federal politician.

“ A politician (I don’t know who) has gone into a rage after discovering he couldn’t access his luggage. Police say he’s now calmed down but is facing charges,” she tweeted.

Will Fowles is driven away by police. Picture: Sean Davey.

“Politician was Melbourne bound and male. That’s all I know about identity.

“The situation was serious enough that guests including me were unable to enter the hotel for a while.

“The first lot of police described him as “a piece of work” who wouldn’t calm down. But they now say he is calm and being very reasonable.”