Stunning moment an angry Scott Morrison says others ‘in glass houses’ should be careful as he exposes allegation of a sordid ‘toilet incident’ inside nation’s biggest media company
Scott Morrison has fired a shot at News Corp by exposing an ugly bathroom complaint during a press conference about alleged sex acts conducted inside Parliament House.
Disturbing images emerged on Monday night showing the acts allegedly performed by at least four staffers in Parliament House.
The Prime Minister expressed his shock and disgust at the revelations in Canberra on Tuesday morning, where demanded Parliament ‘get it’s house in order’.
However, the press conference took an angry turn when Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell suggested Mr Morrison’s job would be in jeopardy if he was the boss of a business and similar allegations had been made ‘on your watch’.
The latest claims come amid the fallout from rape allegations levelled by ex-ministerial media adviser Brittany Higgins against a male colleague and historic sexual assault claims against Attorney-General Christian Porter.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is pictured during the press conference on Tuesday
Clennell asked: ‘Doesn’t it look like you have lost control of your ministerial staff?’
Mr Morrison replied: ‘I will let you editorialise as you like, Andrew, but if anyone in this room wants to offer up the standards in their own work places as comparison I would invite you to do so.’
Mr Morrison then went on to detail an alleged complaint at Clennell’s organisation, News Corporation.
‘Right now, you would be aware in your own organisation that there is a person who has had a complaint made against them for harassment of a woman in a women’s toilet,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘And that matter is being pursued by your own HR department.’
Clennell said he was not aware of the claims.
Mr Morrison responded: ‘So lets not… All of us who sit in glass houses here, start getting into that.’
The Prime Minister admitted there are ‘serious issues’ in Parliament House but said that one individual cannot watch over every inch of the building, every second of the day.
The press conference took an angry turn when Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell (pictured) suggested Mr Morrison’s job would be in jeopardy if he was the boss of a business and similar allegations had been made ‘on your watch’
Mr Morrison said he understands the latest allegations that came to light on Monday night occurred ‘long before’ he was Prime Minister.
‘That goes to a longstanding culture of despicable behaviour in this place,’ he said.
‘That is not something that I could be directly held accountable [for] … But what I am held accountable, is for what I do now and that’s what I’m outlining to you today.
‘You’re free to make your criticisms and stand on that pedestal but be careful.’
Speaking after the press conference on Sky News, Clennell said he was ‘gobsmacked’ by the comments and that the prime minister has a ‘political problem’.
He confirmed no Sky News employees are subject to HR investigations.
This image shared by a whistleblower shows a man sitting at a desk in Parliament House exposing himself
Mr Morrison choked back tears during the press conference as he spoke about his daughters, wife and mother.
‘They motivate me every day on this issue,’ he said.
‘And to them, I say to you girls, I will not let you down.’
A coalition staff member has been sacked for allegedly performing a lewd sex act inside the office of a female Liberal MP.
‘I am shocked, and disgusted, it is shameful,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘We must get our house in order.’
The prime minister will meet with all coalition staff later on Tuesday to discuss behavioural issues.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, tasked with an inquiry into workplace conditions in Parliament House, will address the coalition party room.
Brittany Higgins at the March 4 Justice on March 15. She shocked Australia when she came forward with allegations she was raped by a male colleague in the office of Defence Minister Linda Reynolds