Gareth Ward: NSW minister steps down over sexual violence allegations which he denies

The New South Wales MP, Gareth Ward, has stepped down from his role as the minister for families and from the Liberal party room after revealing he was the subject of a police investigation.

In a statement on Thursday evening, the MP for Kiama on the South Coast said he would sit on the crossbench “until the matter was resolved”.

“Today I have been made aware by a journalist of an investigation into me by NSW police,” Ward said.

“I have not been contacted by police in relation to any allegations. I deny any wrongdoing. Until this matter is resolved, it is appropriate I stand aside from my role as minister. I will also remove myself from the Liberal party room.”

Only hours earlier, NSW police had released a statement confirming there was an investigation under way into the actions of a 39-year-old man.

“Detectives from the child abuse and sex crimes squad have established Strike Force Condello to investigate allegations of sexual violence-related offences against a 39-year-old man,” the NSW police said in a statement.

“The incidents were reported to have occurred from 2013. As investigations are continuing, no further information is available.”

Earlier on Thursday, the NSW police commissioner, Mick Fuller, and several other police had been spotted in NSW parliament.

The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said she had been made aware through media reports that an MP was under investigation.

“I have subsequently received advice from minister Gareth Ward of his decision to step aside as minister and sit on the crossbench while there is speculation about his future,” she said in a statement.

“I support his decision. The attorney general will act in Mr Ward’s portfolio responsibilities.”

The NSW government is already in minority government after the former Nationals member for the Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen, was forced to quit after a sex worker alleged she was raped by the MP in 2019 at a secluded lookout in the Blue Mountains.

Johnsen strenuously denies the allegations. His resignation has triggered a byelection which will be held on 22 May. If the government loses, it will be down to 46 seats in the 93 seat parliament.

In March, the Liberal MP for Drummoyne, John Sidoti, stood down from the Liberal party and moved to the crossbench after the Independent Commission against Corruption announced it would hold an inquiry into his family’s property dealings and whether he sought to improperly influence councillors in the inner west of Sydney.

Sidoti said at the time he had “always acted with integrity and honour” and “absolutely rejected” the allegations.

Sidoti was previously a parliamentary secretary for planning and roads and transport. He was appointed as minister for sport, multiculturalism, seniors and veterans in April 2019 but was forced to leave the ministry when the allegations became known.