Disgraced MP accused of hiding in bushes to snap a photo of a woman’s underwear as she bent over during campaign of harassment will NOT be charged with any crimes
- Andrew Laming to quit politics accused of taking inappropriate photo of woman
- He admitted to harassing two women on social media – leaving one suicidal
- The other claimed he took photo of her underwear as she bent over to fill fridge
- She made a formal complaint to police, but they will take no action against MP
Police will take no action against federal backbencher Andrew Laming, who was accused of taking an inappropriate photograph of a woman while she was bending over.
A number of people were interviewed as part of the investigation and a Queensland police spokesperson said detectives found no evidence to indicate an offence had been committed.
Crystal White started the complaints process at Cleveland police station, east of Brisbane, last Monday after alleging Dr Laming photographed her bottom as she stacked a bar fridge for a Queensland landscaping supplies company in 2019.
Police said she has been advised of the outcome.
Police will take no action against federal backbencher Andrew Laming, who was accused of taking an inappropriate photograph of a woman while she was bending over
‘I’ve documented the incident for now,’ Ms White told 9News after visiting the police station to kake the complaint last week.
Witness and Ms White’s colleague Sean Blinco also made a statement to officers.
‘I’m just here to tell my version of events and just here to support Crystal,’ he said.
Taking a photo up a person’s skirt is a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in prison. Ms White previously called the photo ‘really inappropriate.’
Mr Blinco has said his manager also saw the MP take the picture and forced him to delete it.
Dr Laming claimed the photo attempted to show someone trying to fit an impossible amount of stock into a fridge.
Crystal White alleging Dr Laming photographed her bottom as she stacked a bar fridge for a Queensland landscaping supplies company in 2019
Ms White started the complaints process at Cleveland police station, east of Brisbane, last Monday
‘The purpose of the photograph was to show sometimes at work you have these Herculean tasks put to you and she was playing a game of Tetris trying to get every possible can in the fridge,’ he told ABC radio.
‘All I can do is apologise unreservedly because taking a photo of someone without asking first is a fundamental principle that an MP should be able to adhere to.’
Dr Laming has also been accused of – and has admitted to – harassing two female constituents and is now on leave to undergo empathy training at the request of Scott Morrison.
Pressure continues to mount on the prime minister to expel the LNP MP for the Queensland seat of Bowman from the coalition.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said Dr Laming’s position in the coalition party room was untenable.
Mr Laming accused Alix Russo (left) of misappropriating funds at a homeless charity, while Sheena Hewlett (right) said she was forced to contact police after claiming Mr Laming hid in the bushes and took photos of her in a public park
He compared the circumstances to the handling of a rape allegation against NSW state MP Michael Johnsen.
Mr Johnsen was booted from the coalition party rooms after the allegations came to light.
Mr Turnbull said the same approach must be taken towards Dr Laming.
‘It’s pretty obvious that he should be sitting on the crossbench,’ Mr Turnbull said.
‘His behaviour is so out of order.’
Mr Johnsen has since resigned from parliament, after further allegations this week that he had invited a prostitute to visit him inside state parliament.
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