Liberal MP Andrew Laming hauled into Prime Minister’s office with demand he apologise for treatment of two Queensland women

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hauled Liberal backbencher Andrew Laming into his office, demanding a public apology for the MP’s treatment of two women in his Queensland electorate.

As a political storm over the workplace culture of Parliament and its workers continues, Dr Laming apologised to the women, amid claims he repeatedly harassed them online.

Nine News has reported the Queensland MP accused one woman, Alix Russo, of misappropriating funds from a charity organisation she worked at — something she denies.

Ms Russo told Nine News the accusation resulted in her wanting to take her own life.

A separate woman, Sheena Hewlett — the wife of Redland City councillor Lance Hewlett — said Dr Laming also harassed her and her husband online.

About two hours before the news story went public, Dr Laming issued an apology in Parliament.

“I want to unreservedly apologise to both Ms Hewlett and Russo and I express my regret and deep apologies for the hurt that my communication may have caused,” he said.

“Today in this house I want to retract those comments and issue a public unreserved apology.

“There are many lessons in this for me in this experience, not just about words but the impact words can have on others, and I have made a concerted effort speaker to understand the impact of these responses upon others and demonstrate a clear change in the way I communicate.”

In a statement, a spokesman for Scott Morrison said everyone had a right to feel safe online.

“At the Prime Minister’s request, the Member for Bowman issued an unreserved public apology,” the statement reads.

“His comments were not acceptable to both women and also to the Prime Minister.”

Scott Morrison thanks Brittany Higgins

This latest story comes amid weeks of debate about Parliament’s workplace culture.

Mr Morrison this week fought back tears as he pledged to improve the treatment of women in the building.

He has received mounting criticism stemming from his handling and justification of aspects of the rape allegation made by former government staffer, Brittany Higgins.

Mr Morrison told Nine’s A Current Affair he would be prepared to meet with Ms Higgins.

It came after Ms Higgins wrote to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, to say she’d been made aware his media team was briefing journalists against her partner, a former Sky News producer.

“Now I may not have always got it as well as people would like me to, but I assure you I’m doing everything I can to understand it as best as I can,” he said.

“Brittany has, whether wittingly or otherwise, in drawing attention to this case, has shone a very important light on things far broader and this has caused great trauma.

“It has triggered many things, one of the most hard and deeply personal, confronting conversations that I’ve seen take place here.”

Government investigating lewd acts

Coalition staffers were this week accused of filming and sharing sex acts in Parliament House.

One staffer was fired after allegedly engaging in a lewd act on the desk of a female Liberal MP.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said he was taking all possible steps to ensure appropriate consequences for anyone who has done the wrong thing.

“Allegations that have surfaced this week are disgusting and inappropriate in any workplace, but particularly in the nation’s Parliament, the statement said.”

“Earlier this week I indicated that we would be undertaking further investigations to ascertain any other instances of wrongdoing. We have been pursuing these investigations and I thank those who have been able to assist us with information to date.”

Parliament rose on Thursday night and will not sit again until the May Budget.

There is speculation a reshuffle is imminent, but Scott Morrison said his ministers Linda Reynolds and Christian Porter will continue to be a part of the frontbench.

Senator Reynolds faces being dumped from her Defence portfolio, after sustained criticism of her handling of a rape allegation in her office.

Mr Porter is on mental health leave from his duties as Attorney-General, after strenuously denying an historical rape allegation. He is expected to lose that portfolio but hold on to Industrial Relations.