O’Byrne accuser wants email reply
THE woman who accused former Labor leader David O’Byrne of sexual harassment has demanded she be given the right to reply to a letter he has sent to party members.
In an email sent to Labor members on Wednesday, the Franklin MP said he was committed to upholding Labor values, despite no longer being a member of the party’s parliamentary wing.
Among the recipients was the woman who accused him of sexually harassing her when they worked together for a union more than a decade ago.
Mr O’Byrne apologised to Rachel Midson for his actions and said a Labor inquiry had cleared him, although by that time he had resigned from the
leadership and been ejected from the parliamentary caucus.
In his email, Mr O’Byrne described the claims as a “very sad and unfortunate situation” for all involved.
“I acknowledge for many people this has been a traumatic and confusing time,” he wrote.
“I would like to thank people for their understanding and willingness to listen and accept what is, for all parties, a very sad and unfortunate situation.
“Along with the recent death of my Dad, this has been a deeply painful and difficult period in my life.
“I have resumed my electorate work and have been humbled by the generosity shown to me by the people of Franklin and the many messages of support for my decision to continue to be their local member,” he wrote.
But Ms Midson said receiving the email had been upsetting and said it was an inappropriate use of Labor Party resources.
She said her family and friends were among the members who received the email.
“In 2007-08 Mr O’Byrne used his position of power as my boss to kiss me and send me unwanted sexually explicit text messages,” Ms Midson said.
“The email I received from Mr O’Byrne today was unsolicited and unwanted, just like the kissing and vulgar text messages he sent when he was my boss and I was his junior employee,
“In the email, Mr O’Byrne states he is a ‘Labor member’. He is using Labor Party resources to directly send me correspondence.
“Do you think this is an appropriate way to communicate with someone who has made sexual harassment claims against you?”
Ms Midson appealed to Opposition Leader Rebecca White for the right to reply and to consider whether he should be allowed to remain in the party.
Ms Midson’s sister, independent MP for Clark Kristie Johnston, raised further allegations against Mr O’Byrne in state parliament in August, which he denied.