Luke Foley to quit politics following sexual harassment allegations

Former NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley has written to Labor HQ to inform them he won’t recontest his seat next year.

Former NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley. Picture: AAP

Luke Foley will quit parliament, the former opposition leader has told the Labor Party, a day after he quit as Labor leader following sexual harassment allegations.

Mr Foley has written to Labor head office saying he will not be recontesting the seat of Auburn, heading off moves to disendorse him over the scandal.

Earlier, NSW Labor leadership front runner Michael Daley said Mr Foley should consider his future in politics and dump legal proceedings against Ashleigh Raper.

“I know Ashleigh Raper, she’s a good person. She’s a credible person. Her statement was carefully considered and I believe her.

“I saw Luke Foley’s press conference — I was deeply unimpressed about that. Luke Foley needs to consider his political future very carefully.”

Mr Foley has denied allegations he sexually harassed ABC reporter Ashleigh Raper at a 2016 Christmas party. Ms Raper made her allegations public yesterday in a statement after months of trying to protect her identity.

Deputy NSW Opposition leader Michael Daley is tipped to become the next state Labor leader. Picture: AAP

In her statement, Ms Raper singled out Corrective Services Minister David Elliott for making the allegations without her consent under parliamentary privilege.

Mr Elliott said today that he had never intended to cause Ms Raper distress and had long held concerns over Mr Foley’s character.

“This has clearly been a difficult time for the journalist.” he said.

“I have long held concerns over the character of the alternate Premier.

“To that end, it was never my intent to cause distress for the journalist.”

Mr Daley said he was “very unhappy” with Mr Foley’s press conference yesterday where the former Labor leader announced he would pursue defamation proceedings over the allegations.

“Luke needs to really carefully consider that legal action. In my view that would be a bad thing for everyone concerned,” ,” he told Sky News.

“He has the right to stay in the parliament till March. Whether he stays there as a Labor Party member or not is a different matter.

“Frankly if I’m the leader of the Labor Party, I don’t want him sitting in our ranks”

The Labor Party executive has referred Luke Foley to Candidate Review Committee in a bid to disendorse him from the seat of Auburn for the next election.

Mr Daley confirmed he was spoken with NSW Labor general secretary Kaila Murnain and that he asked, if he is elected leader, that Mr Foley be referred to the party’s candidate review committee.

“She’s indicated to me that she’s done that this morning and I’m very grateful,” he said

Mr Foley is now expected to be dumped from the party within days and names being mentioned as potentially vying for his preselection are upper house MP Lynda Voltz and Left Assistant Secretary Rose Jackson, the daughter of former ABC journalist Liz Jackson.

A caucus meeting is set for 2pm tomorrow with Michael Daley expected to be overwhelmingly endorsed as leader, although Chris Minns is planning to run against him.