Tory mayor hopeful Daniel Korski withdraws from race after groping allegation

Daniel Korski has stood apart from the race to be Tory candidate for mayor of London following an allegation of groping.

The declare was first made in opposition to Mr Korski on 26 June, and he strenuously denied the allegation.

In his withdrawal assertion, Mr Korski stated he was stepping apart “with a heavy heart”.

He stated: “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’ve been clear I’d welcome and constructively take part 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.”

TV producer Daisy Goodwin wrote in The Times and Daily Mail that Mr Korski groped her following a gathering 10 years in the past in Downing Street.

At the time, Mr Korski was working as an adviser to then prime minister David Cameron.

Ms Goodwin stated she had solely come ahead to call Mr Korski this yr as a result of he was standing for public workplace.

She did, nevertheless, write in regards to the allegation in 2017 – albeit with out naming Mr Korski.

After he was accused by Ms Goodwin, Mr Korski was requested if the allegation had been disclosed to the Conservative Party in his vetting to be a mayoral candidate.

He instructed TalkTV: “Yeah, during the process, I was asked about if there were any outstanding issues the party may be aware of.

“And I stated to the occasion, seven years in the past, there was a narrative. I used to be by no means named within the story.

“As far as I know, there was no investigation. But I did mention this to the party.”

Tory members will vote from 4 to 18 July on their most popular selection for the London mayoral election subsequent yr, with the winner introduced on 19 July.