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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Labour MP Christian Matheson resigns over sexual misconduct | Labour MP Christian Matheson resigns over sexual misconduct |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Christian Matheson apologised to the complainant for the hurt he had caused | Christian Matheson apologised to the complainant for the hurt he had caused |
| Labour MP Christian Matheson has quit after a parliamentary watchdog recommended he be suspended for "serious sexual misconduct". | Labour MP Christian Matheson has quit after a parliamentary watchdog recommended he be suspended for "serious sexual misconduct". |
| Two allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr Matheson by a former member of his staff have been upheld. | Two allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr Matheson by a former member of his staff have been upheld. |
| The MP for Chester allegedly invited her on a private trip abroad, which was found to be "sexually motivated". | The MP for Chester allegedly invited her on a private trip abroad, which was found to be "sexually motivated". |
| He admitted he had committed a minor breach of the code and tendered his resignation with "great sadness". | He admitted he had committed a minor breach of the code and tendered his resignation with "great sadness". |
| The Independent Expert Panel parliamentary watchdog had recommended the Labour MP was suspended from the Commons for four weeks. | The Independent Expert Panel parliamentary watchdog had recommended the Labour MP was suspended from the Commons for four weeks. |
| A spokesperson for Labour said there must be a "zero tolerance for sexual harassment", adding the party acted immediately following the report findings. | A spokesperson for Labour said there must be a "zero tolerance for sexual harassment", adding the party acted immediately following the report findings. |
| 'Kiss on mouth' | 'Kiss on mouth' |
| According to the report, the invitation for the trip abroad "was sexually motivated, unwanted, and had placed the complainant under pressure and intimidated her". | According to the report, the invitation for the trip abroad "was sexually motivated, unwanted, and had placed the complainant under pressure and intimidated her". |
| During a work event outside Parliament, he also "linked arms with her and made personal comments about her appearance while looking at her suggestively". | During a work event outside Parliament, he also "linked arms with her and made personal comments about her appearance while looking at her suggestively". |
| The report also found he made her hold his hand as they left and insisted on accompanying her to a bus stop and once there invited her back to his flat, kissed her twice on the forehead and attempted to kiss her on the mouth. | The report also found he made her hold his hand as they left and insisted on accompanying her to a bus stop and once there invited her back to his flat, kissed her twice on the forehead and attempted to kiss her on the mouth. |
| The commissioner concluded these were all unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances. | The commissioner concluded these were all unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances. |
| Christian Matheson had been the MP for the City of Chester since 2015 | Christian Matheson had been the MP for the City of Chester since 2015 |
| In his resignation statement, triggering a by-election, Mr Matheson said he accepted he had committed a minor breach of the code and had hoped that "an honest and open approach" would stand him in a "fair" light. | In his resignation statement, triggering a by-election, Mr Matheson said he accepted he had committed a minor breach of the code and had hoped that "an honest and open approach" would stand him in a "fair" light. |
| He said: "This has proven not to be the case and I am dismayed that I have been found guilty of several allegations that I know to be untrue." | He said: "This has proven not to be the case and I am dismayed that I have been found guilty of several allegations that I know to be untrue." |
| "Indeed my insistence on what I know to be true - that I had no sexual motivation in this matter - was held against me as a refusal to accept my guilt, and caused an increased sanction which I felt was disproportionate." | "Indeed my insistence on what I know to be true - that I had no sexual motivation in this matter - was held against me as a refusal to accept my guilt, and caused an increased sanction which I felt was disproportionate." |
| He said he had appealed against the four-week suspension which he believed to be "an excessive and unfair penalty" but he was now unable to "challenge the process further". | He said he had appealed against the four-week suspension which he believed to be "an excessive and unfair penalty" but he was now unable to "challenge the process further". |
| Mr Matheson, pictured during the 2015 general election campaign, said the matter had caused a great toll on his health | |
| "I believe that the honourable and right thing to do now is to resign my seat and seek to rebuild my life elsewhere," he added. | "I believe that the honourable and right thing to do now is to resign my seat and seek to rebuild my life elsewhere," he added. |
| "I once again apologise to the complainant in my case, for the hurt I have caused." | "I once again apologise to the complainant in my case, for the hurt I have caused." |
| 'Zero tolerance' | 'Zero tolerance' |
| It is understood the Labour Party launched an investigation and immediately suspended Mr Matheson from the party membership in light of the report. | It is understood the Labour Party launched an investigation and immediately suspended Mr Matheson from the party membership in light of the report. |
| He was also asked to stand down as City of Chester MP by Labour. | He was also asked to stand down as City of Chester MP by Labour. |
| A spokesperson for Labour said: "This is an incredibly serious case. | A spokesperson for Labour said: "This is an incredibly serious case. |
| "There must be a zero tolerance for sexual harassment and the Labour party has acted immediately following the ICGS [The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme] findings. | |
| "We will now select a candidate that the people of Chester can be proud to vote for." | "We will now select a candidate that the people of Chester can be proud to vote for." |
| Mr Matheson's resignation will trigger a by-election in the City of Chester. | Mr Matheson's resignation will trigger a by-election in the City of Chester. |
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