NSW MP Gareth Ward has refuted reports that he was intoxicated when he stood outside Parliament House at 4 a.m. on July 21, claiming that he was attempting to get his extra key after unintentionally locking himself out of his flat.
According to a parliamentary security report cited by The Daily Telegraph, Ward had a gash on his head, was dressed in “t-shirt, underwear, and socks,” and smelled strongly of alcohol when he arrived at the building that morning.
The Kiama Independent MP, who is in court on several charges of alleged sexual offenses, claimed that the accusation that he was intoxicated was false and defamatory.
NSW MP Gareth Ward has denied being intoxicated on July 21 at 4 a.m. outside Parliament House.
Ward clarified that he had locked himself out of his apartment after hearing a disturbance there.
“I went to Parliament to get my spare key because it was freezing at around 4 a.m. in July, I had no chance of finding a locksmith, I did not have my phone, and it was only about an eight-minute walk or jog from my property to Parliament,” he said in a statement.
“Aside from the security officer who allowed me entry into the building, I did not see anyone in Parliament.”
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“This is this sort of gutter journalism that sees faith in some journalists fall to an all-time low,” Ward continued, stating that he would not be making any more comments.
