Labor MP Emma Husar has broken her silence several weeks after allegations she was unprofessional and sexually inappropriate with staff first surfaced.
“The coverage of this has been nothing short of devastating professionally and reputationally. I’m not sure I will ever recover. But I am determined to clear my name.”
Ms Husar told Fairfax the allegations are part of a political “stitch-up” originating from a former New South Wales Labor minister.
Fairfax also reported that Ms Husar’s lawyer sent letters threatening defamation action to Buzzfeed News and News Corp, which reported extensively on the allegations.
Last week, Buzzfeed reported Ms Husar was sexually inappropriate in the presence of a former staff member. It also reported a staff member alleged she’d diverted taxpayer funds into her personal account - a claim Ms Husar rejects.
The allegations date back to last year.
News Corp has also scrutinised Ms Husar’s use of taxpayers’ money.
A staff member was also filmed last month picking up the faeces of Ms Husar’s dog.
Ms Husar is the subject of an investigation by parliament’s expenses authority and the NSW Labor Party over the allegations.