ABC News: Kenith Png
)A West Australian Liberal MP has apologised to a former McGowan government staffer over comments he made about a sexual harassment case.
Liberal MP Tjorn Sibma, the party's deputy leader in the Legislative Council, issued a formal apology to Stephen Kaless regarding comments he made in 2019.
The comments related to allegations that Mr Kaless — a former media adviser to treasurer Ben Wyatt in the previous Labor government — had engaged in indecent conduct towards a colleague at a staff Christmas function.
ABC News: Hugh Sando
)Mr Kaless was found not guilty of indecently assaulting the woman in August 2020.
In a letter to Mr Kaless, Mr Sibma said he accepted the former staffer "has been found not guilty of indecent assault", and that his comments in December 2019 had caused Mr Kaless distress.
Mr Sibma said he accepted the court's findings regarding Mr Kaless's conduct without reservation.
The Upper House MP had criticised the government's handling of the case at the time.
The state government is currently defending two legal actions brought by Mr Kaless.
