A politician in Australia and convicted the rapist resigning from parliament periods before he fails, after losing a legal challenge to remain.
Gareth Ward, 44, last month was found guilty of attacking two young men, aged 18 and 24, between 2013 and 2015, and now in custody waiting for judgment.
In the past of this week, the ward launched a legal bid to stop New South Wales (NSW) from Thursday after the court declined a “cause” to democracy.
Plan to expel him on Friday failed when, there was no two hours before a vote to get him needed, the ward stopped as independent member for Kiama.
Ward launch letter was received at Parliament at 09:08 hours on Friday (00:08 GMT), before a vote at 10:30 because of expelling him.
His giving up – coming years after the accusations of sexual assaults first emerges – means Ward no longer receives a parliamentary salary.
It also provides an on-election to the South-Coast NSW Electorted Ward from 2011.
In 2021, Ward stopped as a minister of the State Government and left the Liberal Party, but refused to leave Parliament and was also selected by 2023.
During his legal challenge, ward attorneys argue that trials kick him from Parliament before the appeal process has been completed “a factor of the foundations of representative democracy”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns told media on Friday that ward resignation “should come before”.
“If you have been convicted of some worst payments – Sexual attacks on NSW – you cannot sit as a serving member of Parliament paying parliamentary.
“How do you represent your community from behind bars?”
Opposition leader marks marked Ward’s legal bid to stay in Parliament “Shame”, and accused the former MP in the “playing games” in the public and parliament.
Ward, due to the commentary of the next month, said he wanted to appeal the verdict guilty.
