Colin Craig was flanked by his wife at the media conference Colin Craig has denied sexually harassing his former press secretary, but says one some occasions his behaviour "was inappropriate". After holding a media conference to stand down as Conservative Party leader on Friday, he’s held another today address allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour which quickly followed his resignation. He arrived at the media conference with his wife Helen, holding her hand. Craig’s press secretary Rachel MacGregor resigned just days before the election last year, and it’s since been claimed that was because she had been either sexually harassed by Craig, or their relationship had become inappropriate. Craig refused to go into the details of allegations made, including whether there was any inappropriate touching, but stated “I have never sexually harassed anyone.” “In hindsight, on some occasions our conduct was inappropriate, and we have acknowledged that so we can both move on.” There has been talk of a cash settlement. Craig says he has forgiven a $20,000 loan to MacGregor, something he says was not related to her resignation. When questioned further, he cited a confidentiality agreement. Craig is an outspoken morals campaigner who was among the most vociferous New Zealanders in the failed campaign against marriage equality in favour of a ‘traditional’ view of marriage. He believes being gay is abnormal and a choice. His wife also made a statement a today’s media conference, saying she was choosing to stand with her husband “in full love and support of him, whom I believe has been falsely accused”. Helen Craig described the allegations as “wild and defamatory”, and said they had already been withdrawn.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 22nd June 2015 - 4:06pm