An ABC journalist has detailed a sexual harassment allegation against NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley, in an explosive statement.
The national broadcaster released the statement from Ashleigh Raper on Thursday, alleging she was inappropriately touched by Mr Foley at a Christmas party in 2016.
"Later in the evening Luke Foley approached a group of people, including me, to say goodnight. He stood next to me," the statement read.
"He put his hand through a gap in the back of my dress and inside my underpants. He rested his hand on my buttocks. I completely froze."
Ms Raper said in her statement that Mr Foley, who succeeded John Robertson as NSW Labor leader in 2015, had called her earlier this month to say he was sorry and that he would stand down as leader.
“He said he was sorry and that he was full of remorse for his behaviour towards me at the Press Gallery Christmas function in November 2016,” she sad.
“He told me that he had wanted to talk to me about that night on many occasions over the past two years because, while he was drunk and couldn’t remember all the details of the night, he knew he did something to offend me.
“He apologised again and told me, “I’m not a philanderer, I’m not a groper, I’m just a drunk idiot”.
She said Mr Foley told her he would step down either on Monday, November 5 or Wednesday, November 7.
However, he later “informed me he’d received legal advice not to resign as Opposition Leader”.
“He indicated he intended to follow that advice.”
Rumours of the alleged incident have been circulating in NSW parliament since the night in question.
Mr Foley launched an extraordinary attack on the Liberal frontbench in parliament, claiming they were carrying out a smear campaign, after Liberal David Elliott raised the matter in parliament in October.
Previously, Mr Foley had called the claims “lies”, demanding his political opponents repeat the claims outside the protection of NSW Parliament.
Ms Raper said there were three things that had prompted her to make her statement.
"First, women should be able to go about their professional lives and socialise without being subject to this sort of behaviour. And I want it to stop," she said.
"Second, situations like mine should not be discussed in Parliament for the sake of political point scoring.
"Third, I want to get on with my life."
SBS News has contacted Mr Foley's office for comment.
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was asked about the allegation on Thursday but said it would be inappropriate to comment.
