The inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace by former senator Don Meredith will continue even though he resigned earlier this spring.



The Senate's standing committee on ethics and conflict of interest for senators released its decision late Wednesday night.



The report released on the committee website states the allegations should be "fully investigated for the fairness of the employees involved and former senator Meredith."

Under the Senate ethics code, the inquiry was permanently suspended when Meredith ceased to be a senator after resigning on May 10.



Meredith quit after it was determined he broke Senate rules when he had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl and the ethics committee recommended he be expelled.



The ethics officer, Lyse Ricard, was also looking into allegations against Meredith of sexual harassment, harassment and abuse of authority in the workplace since July 2015.

Ricard also resigned

The Senate ethics committee decided the investigation should be completed even though the Senate can't impose sanctions now that Meredith has resigned.



"The committee believes that the Senate ethics officer's inquiry report could provide guidance respecting the interpretation and application of the general rules of conduct to cases of workplace abuse of authority and harassment, especially in identifying when workplace misbehaviour becomes conduct unbecoming a senator," the report stated.



The report does not indicate when the inquiry will be complete.



Earlier this week, Ricard, who was leading the harassment probe, quit because of the unexpected illness of her husband.

A third inquiry into Meredith's behaviour has been dropped. The ethics probe was looking into allegations the Meredith used his Senate position to advance his own private interests and those of his business partner.



The committee felt this inquiry related more to whether Meredith was fit to sit as a senator. Since he is no longer in the Red Chamber the committee decided there was no reason to continue this investigation.