NSW Minister Gareth Ward steps aside from frontbench amid police investigation13/05/2021|2min
NSW Families and Community Services Minister Gareth Ward has stood aside from the front bench and left the Liberal Party room after reports emerged of a police investigation into a government MP over sexual assault allegations.
The NSW Police provided a statement to Sky News Australia which confirmed the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is investigating an MP after a formal complaint was made.
“Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad have established Strike Force Condello to investigate allegation of sexual violence-related offences against a 39-year-old man,” the police statement read.
A cabinet minister who stood down over rape allegations was previously blackmailed after ordering a massage to a New York hotel room and found naked outside his Sydney home.
Liberal MP Gareth Ward, 39, stood down from the NSW ministry last night after it emerged police were investigating him for alleged violent sex offences in 2013, which he denies.
The legally blind member for Kiama, who has albinism, famously hit headlines in 2017 when he fell victim to a terrifying blackmail attempt in the US.
CCTV footage (pictured) showed Mr Ward in a hotel lift on the night he was blackmailed after ordering a massage
NSW MP under investigation for sexual violence allegation
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NSW Liberal MP Gareth Ward has moved to the crossbench as police investigate a sexual violence allegation against him.
The Families Minister denied any wrongdoing on Thursday and said he had not been contacted by police.
State Premier Gladys Berejiklian supported Mr Ward’s decision to step down and drop his ministerial portfolio.
She confirmed she was only made aware of the allegations by media reports.
“I have subsequently received advice from [Mr] Ward of his decision to step aside as minister and sit on the crossbench while there is speculation about his future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The NSW Families Minister has stood down after confirming he is under investigation by child abuse detectives over violent sex offences that allegedly occurred in 2013.
Minister for Families, Gareth Ward, released a statement confirming he d stepped aside but denied any wrong doing. Today I have been made aware by a journalist of an investigation into me by NSW Police, he said on Thursday evening. I have not been contacted by Police in relation to any allegations. I deny any wrongdoing. Until this matter is resolved, it is appropriate I stand aside from my role as Minister. I will also remove myself from the Liberal Party room.