Daniel Korski QUITS mayoral race after being accused of groping TV writer Daisy Goodwin
TORY Daniel Korski has today QUIT the race to be Mayor of London following claims he groped a TV producer.
He pulled out saying the allegations had put "pressure" on his family and become a "distraction" to both his campaign and the Party.
In a statement he said: "This false and unproven allegation and the inability to get a hearing for my message of 'The London Dream' makes it impossible for my campaign to carry on."
Telly writer Daisy Goodwin has accused the ex-No10 adviser of touching her breasts at a Downing Street meeting 10 years ago.
She has tried to lodge a formal groping complaint to the Cabinet Office - and today also claimed more women have come forward.
Mr Korski had battled to survive the growing Pestminster storm which had seen key backers “pause” their support.
But this afternoon he said: "I have decided, with a heavy heart, to withdraw from the Conservative mayoral contest."
READ MORE ON POLITICS
It leaves Susan Hall and Moz Hossain left in the race vying to challenge Sadiq Khan in next year's Mayoral election.
Mr Korski strongly denies the allegations and in his statement today said: "Nothing was ever put to me formally ten years ago. Nor seven years ago when the allegation was alluded to.
"No investigation has ever taken place. I have been clear I would welcome and constructively participate in any investigation."
Most read in Politics
Earlier this morning Ms Goodwin dismissed his denials - saying “he would say that, wouldn’t he” - and stood by her version of events.
She told the BBC she has contacted the Cabinet Office to mount a formal complaint about Mr Korski and has received a response from the ethics team “suggesting we talk”.
DAN KORSKI STATEMENT IN FULL
I have decided, with a heavy heart, to withdraw from the Conservative mayoral contest.
I categorically deny the allegation against me. Nothing was ever put to me formally ten years ago. Nor seven years ago when the allegation was alluded to. No investigation has ever taken place. I have been clear I would welcome and constructively participate in any investigation.
However, the pressure on my family because of this false and unproven allegation and the inability to get a hearing for my message of 'The London Dream' makes it impossible for my campaign to carry on.
I am proud of having run a positive campaign that championed new ideas, technology and talent, and the years I have campaigned for the Conservative Party and to make the lives of Londoners better.
I believe strongly that Londoners deserve an uplifting and positive vision for their city. I tried hard to offer that.
The news agenda is becoming a distraction from the race and the Conservative Party.
I wish the excellent remaining contestants well and I know the Conservative Party's eventual candidate will beat Sadiq Khan and offer the kind of rejuvenation London so desperately needs. I will do my utmost to support the Conservative Party and the eventual Conservative candidate.
Thank you to my family, friends and all my supporters.
The Conservative Party has been reluctant to launch their own investigation, citing a lack of formal complaint.
Ms Goodwin went public after he was shortlisted for the final three Tories vying to take on Sadiq Khan in next year’s London Mayoral race.
She said the alleged grope happened when he worked for David Cameron and had invited her into No10 for talks about a potential film.
The TV writer said since she made the claims she has been “contacted by other women with some very interesting stories… I feel entirely justified in having written the piece and naming him.”
Today Children’s Minister Claire Coutinho had become the latest to suspend her support for Mr Korski’s campaign.
She said: “I would say I'd be on pause at the moment because lots of things are happening.
But, at the same time, this is an allegation. He's roundly denied it.
"If there is a complaint in the system, it needs to be followed up swiftly so we can find the facts and see what's happened, but I do think it's a very serious and concerning allegation."