My life’s been a living hell, says ex-Boris aide cleared of groping MP
SEXUAL misconduct allegations made against Boris Johnson’s former campaign manager have been dismissed by a Commons inquiry.
Former Tory MP Ross Thomson yesterday insisted he had been the victim of a ‘smear’ campaign which had ended his promising career in politics.
He was forced to resign only weeks before last year’s general election after former Labour MP Paul Sweeney publicly accused him of ‘sexually assaulting’ him in a Westminster bar.
Mr Sweeney alleged that Mr Thomson had left him ‘paralysed’ with shock after groping him in the Strangers’ Bar as he spoke with friends in October 2018.
But now the former Aberdeen South MP has revealed that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards cleared him – ruling Mr Sweeney’s claims unfounded.
Its report says witness state- ments did not support Mr Sweeney’s version of events, although it notes that Mr Thomson did invade his personal space by leaning on him and putting his arm around him.
On Twitter yesterday, Mr Thomson wrote that the investigation ‘clearly showed the claims were a smear’, adding he has been through a ‘living hell with these false allegations’.
Mr Thomson, who ran Mr Johnson’s l eadership campaign in Scotland, did not stand f or re-election in Aberdeen South last November after Mr Sweeney went public with the accusations.
Mr Thomson said: ‘Evidence submitted to the commissioner by an i ndependent i nvestigator supported my view that the allegations levelled against me were both false and malicious. From the start of this ordeal I maintained that I was the victim of a smear and the 19-month investigation clearly showed this to be the case.’
He said he ‘complied fully with the investigation at every stage’, saying this was the case ‘ even when it meant I could not defend myself publicly against damaging, distressing and false allegations’.
Mr Thomson added: ‘While it is regrettable that I had to wait this long to clear my name, I am satisfied that the independent inquiry was both extensive and robust.’ He said he is now considering legal action over the allegations which turned his life into a ‘living hell’.
Mr Thomson told the Times: ‘The last two years have been a living hell with these false allegations, triggering a barrage of unfair headlines and unrelenting abuse on the street and online.
‘I was forced to give up the job I loved, making myself and my office staff unemployed. Furthermore, my reputation has been irreparably damaged by these lies.’
He added: ‘I would like to thank former Conservative, Labour and SNP colleagues at Westminster for supporting me throughout this nightmare and for ensuring the truth came out.
‘I am exploring all legal avenues and I look forward to drawing a line under this ordeal and finally moving on with my life.’ Mr Thomson was elected as Tory MP for Aberdeen South in 2017.
He announced in November last year that he would not seek reelection in the December election following an interview Mr Sweeney gave to The Mail on Sunday – in which he was accused of ‘sexually assaulting’ his former colleague.
On Twitter, Nationalist MP Joanna Cherry said: ‘I’m no fan of Ross Thomson’s politics but it’s a disgrace that his career & life have been ruined by an unproven allegation. We must restore the maxim of innocent until proven guilty in public life in Scotland or we’re doomed.’
Mr Sweeney, former Glagow North East MP, has the right to appeal to an independent expert panel. The commissioner’s office said it would be ‘inappropriate’ to comment before a final conclusion has been reached.
Speaking to the BBC last night, Mr Thomson told of the abuse he has received. He said: ‘I’ve had horrific levels of abuse – not just online but here in the street.
‘I could not go to my local pub without people shouting abuse at me or chanting songs.
‘I had banners hung up across my constituency accusing me of horrible things – not even far from where my grandmother and family are. I don’t think anyone deserves that.’
‘I was the victim of a smear’
‘Forced to give up the job I loved’