The convicted rapist abandons the Australian Parliament after losing an offer to remain

Australian politician and convicted rapist resigned from parliament’s moments before being expelled after losing a legal challenge to remain.

The 44 -year -old Gareth Ward was recognized last month guilty of sexual assault on two young men, aged 18 and 24, between 2013 and 2015 and is now in custody in anticipation of a sentence.

Earlier this week, Ward began a legal offer to stop the New South Wales (NSW) parliament to expel him, but he was rejected on Thursday after the court rejected the arguments that this move was an “attack” of democracy.

Plans to expel him on Friday were thwarted when less than two hours before the vote removed him, Ward gave up as an independent member of Kiama.

Ward’s resignation letter was received from parliament at 09:08 local time on Friday (00:08 GMT), shortly before the vote at 10:30 to drive it away.

His resignation – which comes years after the emergence of the allegations of sexual assault – means that Ward will no longer receive a parliamentary salary.

It has also triggered the election on the southern coast of NSW Electorate Ward since 2011.

In 2021, Ward gave up as Minister of the State Government and left the Liberal Party, but refused to leave parliament and was re -elected in 2023.

During his legitimate challenge, Ward’s lawyers claim that attempts to expel him from parliament before the process of appeal was completed was “an attack on the foundations of representative democracy.”

NSW Prime Minister Chris Mins told the media on Friday that Ward’s resignation “had to come earlier.”

“If you are convicted of some of the most serious accusations – a sexual assault at NSW – you cannot sit as an employee of the parliament, attracting a parliamentary salary,” the labor leader said.

“How can you present your community behind bars?”

Opposition leader Mark speckman has been labeled Ward’s legal application to stay in parliament “Depressed” and accused the former MP of Games with Public and Parliament.

Ward, who is to be sentenced next month, said he intended to appeal the sentence to guilty.