Sex-case Senator resigns his seat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.RUPERT CORNWELL
Washington
Senator Bob Packwood last night bowed to the inevitable and resigned, thus sparing the institution which the Oregon Republican has served for 27 years at best a bruising floor vote on whether to expel him, at worst potentially devastating public hearings into the allegations of sexual and official misconduct against him.
He announced his decision on the Senate floor. "It is my duty, the honourable thing to do for the country, for the Senate," he said, almost in tears. "I will resign and leave this institution, not with malice but with love.''
Thus ends the saga of a career destroyed by disclosures of sexual harassment of two dozen women - many his campaign and office employees - stretching back to the 1960s. Mr Packwood's fate was sealed by his hapless efforts to stage a cover-up, doctoring sections of his private diaries in an attempt to conceal the truth.
The affair proper began in 1992, after his re-election to a fifth term, as allegations had already circulated of his sexual misbehaviour. For almost three years his case meandered through the Senate. But Mr Packwood's evasions and manoeuvrings finally wore out the patience of his colleagues. This summer the Senate voted 52-48 not to hold secret hearings. Then, after two more women came forward with claims of harassment, he demanded public hearings "to confront my accusers head-on''.
The Senate Ethics Committee, which previously had split 3-3 on party lines, voted unanimously to expel Mr Packwood - the most severe sanction it can impose. Not since the Civil War has a senator been forcibly evicted. Yesterday the ranking Republican and Democrat alike on the committee denounced Mr Packwood in astonishingly harsh terms. He was guilty of "habitual, blatantly aggressive sexual advances" said Mitch McConnell, a fellow Republican and chairman of the ethics panel. Earlier Mr Packwood had denounced the vote to expel him as "outrageous" but after Mr McConnell's words he plainly realised he had no chance.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments