Political staffer says he still respected Gareth Ward professionally after alleged 2015 rape

A political staffer has accused a state MP, Gareth Ward, of sexually assaulting him in an email he wrote to Ward in 2019 but later said he embellished. Ward is on trial for sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault charges after pleading not guilty. The alleged victim Maintain that the email falsely implied Ward respected him and expressed professional interest despite repeated declines. He also denies accusing another staffer of a similar incident involving athen 18-year-old man at Ward's home. Ward, who lost his seat in 2023 as an independent, is fighting the charges amid claims of multiple assaults over the years.