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LNP ignored Dowling allegations: mistress

The mistress of disgraced Queensland government MP Peter Dowling doesn't know why they want to "keep someone like that on their team".

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2 min read

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Source: AAP


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The mistress of a disgraced Queensland MP claims the Liberal National Party tried to sweep allegations he misused his parliamentary travel expenses under the carpet.

Redlands MP Peter Dowling has stood aside as chair of parliament's ethics committee and as a member of the parliamentary crime and misconduct committee.

Mr Dowling was outed on Monday for having an extramarital affair and texting his mistress pornographic photos.

LNP president Bruce McIver says he received a series of complaints against Mr Dowling's private life, but none related to his parliamentary duties.

But Mr Dowling's mistress says that's not true as she had tried to tell LNP officials about his alleged misuse of parliamentary travel allowances more than once.

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"We flew over there together and we flew back together and we stayed together and he paid for everything," she told the Nine Network.

"They (the LNP) tried to sweep it under the carpet.

"I don't know why they want to keep someone like that on their team.

"Sports people are held accountable but it just seems they're (politicians) in a league of their own."

Mr McIver said earlier on Wednesday that specific allegations and evidence of offences were not provided, so he believed the matters were for Mr Dowling's family to deal with.

"While the personal matters, which are not condoned by the party, appear to have occurred between consenting adults in private, there is nothing that can be said to defend actions which have caused deep embarrassment and shame to Mr Dowling and his family," he said.

"Mr Dowling will answer to party members at the appropriate time under the LNP constitution."

Mr Dowling has denied the allegations, however on Tuesday he apologised in parliament for causing embarrassment to his wife, children and colleagues.

The Clerk of the parliament is considering if the allegations will be referred to the ethics committee or the Crime and Misconduct Commission.


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