NSW LABOR LEADER LUKE FOLEY DENIES HE GROPED AN ABC JOURNALIST
THE ALLEGATIONS
"He stood next to me. 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." - Ashleigh Raper.
Ms Raper says Mr Foley called her this week and told her: "I'm not a philanderer, I'm not a groper, I'm just a drunk idiot".
THE DENIAL
"The allegations against me today made public by the ABC are false. I've retained solicitors and senior counsel to advise on the immediate commencement of defamation proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia." - Luke Foley
THE FALLOUT
Mr Foley has resigned as Labor leader, four months before the NSW election.
"I can't fight to clear my name and fight an election at the same time - it's just not possible to do both."
Deputy leader Michael Daley is expected take over as opposition leader.
THE REACTION
"That is unbelievable ... The two other MPs I've spoken to said that is atrocious. I think he is just refusing to go in a dignified way." - A NSW Labor MP after Mr Foley's denial and resignation.
"The alleged behaviour of Mr Foley is very, very shocking and concerning." - Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
"I will go away and get acquainted on the facts." - Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten who described it as a "serious matter".
