An investigation by Parliament into allegations that former NSW Labor boss Jamie Clements sexually harassed a staff member concluded there was "insufficient evidence" to substantiate the claims.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the investigation did find that the staffer, Stefanie Jones, "exhibited a genuine level of anxiety regarding her interactions or potential interactions" with Mr Clements.
Mr Clements was forced to resign as NSW Labor general secretary on Thursday over the allegation that in June he tried to kiss Ms Jones in the Parliament House office of Campbelltown MP Greg Warren, for whom she works.
Mr Clements was never charged and denies the claims, which were the subject of an apprehended violence order application brought by police last year.
On Wednesday, police withdrew the application and Mr Clements, without admissions, agreed to stay away from Ms Jones for 12 months.
But after intervention by federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and a call for his resignation by acting NSW Labor leader Linda Burney, Mr Clements quit.
An October 22 letter from the Parliament's executive manager, Rob Stefanic, to Mr Clements via his lawyers reveals the Parliament's recruitment and training manager, Colin Brown, launched an investigation in September.
It states the investigation was into allegations that "you did physically move Ms Jones against a wall or cupboard in the office and attempt to kiss Ms Jones against her will".
"Having considered the evidence available, Mr Brown determined that there is insufficient corroborating evidence, on the balance of probabilities, to substantiate the allegations," Mr Stefanic wrote.
"Notwithstanding this, Mr Brown formed the view that Ms Jones exhibited a genuine level of anxiety regarding her interactions or potential interactions with you."
Mr Stefanic tells Mr Clements that his parliamentary pass will remain deactivated until his AVO court hearing in January to ensure the "health and safety" of Ms Jones.
Mr Clements and Ms Jones declined to comment.
In a statement on Friday, NSW Labor president Mark Lennon said:
"I acknowledge that Jamie Clements made a difficult decision yesterday, but that it was clearly in the best interests of the party. I wish him and his family well."
In the interim, Kaila Murnain would be acting in the role of general secretary and a formal process to fill the position would be undertaken "at the appropriate time", the statement said.
