Daniel Korski latest: Tory London mayoral hopeful drops out of race after groping claims
Daniel Korski said he decided ‘with a heavy heart’ to withdraw from the mayoral contest
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Your support makes all the difference.The Tory London mayoral candidate who allegedly groped a TV producer has pulled out of the contest.
Screenwriter and novelist Daisy Goodwin claims that Daniel Korski groped her breast after a meeting at Downing Street more than a decade ago.
Ms Goodwin has filed a formal complaint against Mr Korski and said she has “been contacted by other women with some very interesting stories”. Mr Korski has “categorically” denied Ms Goodwin’s claims.
In a statement, Mr Korski said: “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.”
In reponse to the announcement, Ms Goodwin said is “glad” that Mr Korski has withdrawn from the race to be the Tory candidate for the London mayoralty.
Tory London mayoral contender blocked from government job after grope allegation, says Goodwin
Tory London mayoral contender Daniel Korski was blocked from a government job over the allegation he groped a TV producer in Downing Street, Daisy Goodwin has claimed.
Ms Goodwin said Mr Korski was up for a directorship at a government department, but did not get the position after she told the chair of the board he had groped her a decade ago.
The producer and screenwriter went public with the allegation on Monday, arguing that “the people of London deserve to know”. It came after Mr Korski made the shortlist to take on Sadiq Khan for the Conservatives in next year’s mayoral election.
Ms Goodwin said it was “interesting” that Mr Korski was blocked from the directorship but has been backed as a candidate for London mayor.
Mr Korski revealed on Tuesday that Tory HQ knew about the groping claim against him but put him on the shortlist anyway. He denies any wrongdoing.
And, speaking to Times Radio, Ms Goodwin said: “I heard that he was going up for a directorship at a government department, and I happened to know someone who was the chair of that board, and we were talking about him, and I told that person the story of what had happened to me.
“And that person, who I really can’t name, was very grateful to me for that information. He didn’t get that directorship which suggests that, you know. Well it’s interesting that he didn’t get that direction and yet he’s been backed as a candidate for the Tory mayor.”
Ms Goodwin added that she spoke to Ian Hislop before naming Mr Korski, who “made her feel this was the right thing to do”.
And she called for Mr Korski to step aside in the contest for the Conservative nomination, adding: “Men with impulse control problems, which I think is what Daniel Korski has, are probably not the best people to run the country.
“I think he should withdraw, it’s as simple as that.”
Tory London mayoral contender withdraws from contest
The Tory London mayoral contender who allegedly groped TV producer Daisy Goodwin has pulled out of the contest.
Daniel Korski has “categorically” denied Ms Goodwin’s claim that he fondled her breast a decade ago after a meeting in Downing Street.
Screenwriter and producer Ms Goodwin has called his denial “bizarre”, claiming that Mr Korski “would say that”. She has also suggested Mr Korski may face further misconduct claims, having been contacted by three other women who have had “similar experiences” with the entrepreneur.
And Mr Korski has now confirmed he will no longer run to be the Conservative candidate for next May’s mayoral election.
In a statement, he said: “I have decided, with a heavy heart, to withdraw from the Conservative mayoral contest.”
He added: “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.”
Breaking: Government defeated as Lords force small boats bill to comply with international law
The government has been defeated in the House of Lords as peers moved to force Rishi Sunak’s small boats bill to comply with international law.
Conservative peers were among those backing an amendment to the Illegal Migration Bill, which states that its powers cannot conflict with the UK’s obligations under the UN Refugee Convention, European Convention on Human Rights and other agreements on children’s rights, trafficking and statelessness.
The new laws aim to allow the government to detain and deport all small boat migrants, without considering their asylum or trafficking claims.
Lizzie Dearden reports.
Government defeated as Lords force small boats bill to comply with international law
The government has been defeated in the House of Lords as peers moved to force Rishi Sunak’s small boats bill to comply with international law.
Daisy Goodwin ‘glad’ Daniel Korski has withdrawn from Tory London mayor race
Daisy Goodwin said she is “glad” that Daniel Korski has withdrawn from the race to be the Tory candidate for the London mayoralty.
The screenwriter and novelist Daisy Goodwin claims that Mr Korski groped her breast after a meeting at Downing Street more than a decade ago.
Mr Korski has “categorically” denied Ms Goodwin’s claims.
She told PA : “I am glad he has withdrawn - it shows that women can speak out against misbehaviour in the workplace and be believed.
“If I was in the ethics department of the Cabinet Office, I would be wondering why such behaviour went unchecked in Downing Street.”
‘Concerned’ government eyes temporary nationalisation of Thames Water
The business secretary has said she is “concerned” amid fears that the UK’s largest water company could be on the verge of financial collapse.
Kemi Badenoch said the government was “looking at what we can do” amid reports that the government is considering temporarily nationalising the firm.
Contingency planning worked up by environment ministry Defra and regulator Ofwat includes the option of placing the company into a so-called “special administration regime”, according to the Financial Times.
‘Concerned’ government eyes temporary nationalisation of Thames Water
England’s largest water company could be put under ‘special administration’ regime
MP berates Sainsbury's boss after discovering CEO bonus is 200 times workers pay
Tom Peck: The best weapon the Tories have to throw at Labour? A pair of Starmer-branded flip flops
The Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands tweets ‘flip flop’ pictures of them roughly every 30 seconds. If this is the best example they’ve got of ‘attack dog politics’, the Tories are really in trouble, writes Tom Peck
The best weapon the Tories have to throw at Labour? A pair of flip flops | Tom Peck
The Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands tweets ‘flip flop’ pictures of them roughly every 30 seconds. If this is the best example they’ve got of ‘attack dog politics’, the Tories are really in trouble, writes Tom Peck
Plaid Cymru Westminster leader says Sunak is allowing poverty while corporate profits pile up
We’re pausing our live coverage of the Daniel Korski allegations but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.