LNP's Peter Dowling apologises to family after newspaper prints allegations he sent his lover explicit photos

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

The head of the Queensland parliament's ethics committee has stood down, saying he cannot defend phone messages he sent a woman that included a photograph of his penis in a glass of red wine.

Liberal National party MP Peter Dowling apologised to his family, staff and friends after News Corp Australia's Brisbane newspaper, the Courier-Mail, printed allegations he had been involved in a two-year affair during which he sent his lover explicit photos.

The woman has sent a letter to Speaker Fiona Simpson detailing the allegations.

Among the photographs he texted to her were full-frontal shots of his genitals, a photo of his penis dipped in a glass of red wine and a photo of him reportedly grinning while about to drink the same glass of wine.

The woman claimed Dowling, who is married with two children, used public resources to conduct the affair, including upgrades on travel given to the pair because of Dowling's status as an MP and using his parliamentary and electorate offices to have sex.

"I owe my family an apology. I am sorry for the pain and embarrassment I caused you," Dowling told parliament on Tuesday morning.

"I am not proud of the events plastered all over the paper.

"I can't and won't defend any part of it."

He said he had stood down from his role as head of the parliamentary ethics committee and the allegations are being investigated by the parliamentary clerk. Dowling has denied breaching parliamentary guidelines in relation to travel.

He said he had stepped aside in order to let the allegations be properly investigated and because he did not want his family dragged into the media spotlight.

"I don't want pity. I only ask that my family be left alone while this matter is considered by the clerk," he said.