Scott Morrison stands by Andrew Laming amid new claims

Despite revelations including that Dr Laming asked local staff for their phone numbers, Scott Morrison continues to stand by him.

Scott Morrison continues to stand by embattled Liberal National Party MP Andrew Laming following new allegations of inappropriate behaviour, saying he expects the Queenslander to serve his electorate until the next election.

The ABC’s 7.30 reported on Thursday night that Dr Laming made an academic feel uncomfortable during and after a domestic flight and on another occasion repeatedly asked local female staff on an overseas delegation for their phone numbers.

Another woman said she felt uncomfortable when the MP asked her if he could add her on Facebook, and proceeded to do so, when she was 19 years old. He also suggested through a Facebook message meeting up with an academic who liked skateboarding.

“I’m happy just to meet skaties one at a time – starting with you (wink emoji),” he reportedly said.

Dr Laming has undertaken “empathy training” via an online course and revealed this week he had been diagnosed with ADHD, which he claims could account for his social media addiction.

“He said he would arrange to undertake appropriate training. As you know, Andrew has also advised that for some period of time now he’s been affected by ADHD,” the Prime Minister told 2GB radio.

“Andrew is not running for the LNP at the next election. The LNP have made that decision. And in the meantime, I expect him to serve his community that elected him on many occasions and to do that job between now and the election.”

“He undertook to me to be correcting and changing his behaviour and getting help for that and I know he has been doing that. I mean, I haven’t seen the exact course that he’s undertaken. I mean, there’s been a few other things that I’ve been a bit focused on.”

Dr Laming has defended his behaviour in the most recent allegations.