An Australian politician convicted of rape is trying to keep his seat in the New South Wales state parliament from his prison cell, the BBC reported, BTA reports.
Last month, 44-year-old Gareth Ward was found guilty of sexually assaulting two young men, aged 18 and 24. The incidents took place at his home between 2013 and 2015. Ward is currently in custody awaiting sentencing.
The New South Wales House of Representatives had planned to expel him this week after he refused to voluntarily resign. Ward, who intends to appeal the court decision, has taken action through his lawyers to block his expulsion. They said they would seek an injunction from the High Court on Friday to prevent a vote to expel him from parliament.
“He has no shame”, New South Wales Premier Chris Means told local radio station 2GB. He again called on Ward to resign voluntarily, stressing that this was the “first and most obvious choice“.
“It is unacceptable that a person convicted of serious sex crimes and currently held in Silverwater Prison insists on remaining a member of parliament and continuing to receive a salary“, added Means.
Gareth Ward is expected to be formally sentenced next month on three counts of indecent assault and one count of rape.