Alex Mitchell, the Sun-Herald political correspondent and president of the NSW Parliamentary Press Gallery, issued this statement this morning:

Following repeated media inquiries about the conduct of the former NSW
Opposition Leader John Brogden, the President issued this statement:

I
have no knowledge of any incidents of sexual harassment involving John
Brogden and female members of the Press Gallery. At no time has any
female member of the Gallery reported that she has been approached in
an inappropriate way by Mr Brogden. If such misbehaviour did take
place, it is news to me.

I have been informed that two unnamed
former female Gallery journalists have suggested that Mr Brogden did
behave improperly towards them. It is surprising that they did not
report the events at the time. Under normal circumstances, that would
be a journalist’s first duty. On the other hand, it could be a case of
recovered memory syndrome and they have only just recalled the events
because of the recent media publicity.

Either way, they should
inform their employers and the appropriate authorities. If any other
female Gallery members have been the target of untoward advances by Mr
Brogden – or any other NSW MP – they should also file official
complaints without delay. The NSW Parliamentary Press Gallery, which
has been existence for over 100 years, prides itself on its
professionalism in covering state politics and the Gallery will
continue to maintain those standards. As Gallery president, I wish to
convey to John Brogden, his wife Lucy and family the sincerest wishes
for a speedy recovery and a quick return to public life.

Alex Mitchell