It still fascinates me that politicians, who are always at the forefront of media scrutiny, are prone to doing the most amazing and unusual things that leave their constituents thinking 'WTF ?'
WEST Australian Liberals have rallied behind their leader despite his admission he sniffed the chair of a female party staffer. Mr Buswell broke down at a press conference today as he confirmed the staffer's account of the chair sniffing incident.
The woman, who does not want to be named, said Mr Buswell lifted and started sniffing the chair she had been sitting on at his Parliament House office in December 2005. The incident took place in front of other staff members.
She said he had done it to get a laugh.
"I was shocked and outraged, and I told him,'' the newspaper quoted the woman as saying.
At today's press conference at Mandurah, south of Perth, Mr Buswell said he had repeatedly refused to deny the allegations because he wanted to protect the woman involved.
But he broke down after he was asked about the effect of the report on his wife and children.
Tears in his eyes, Mr Buswell said he needed a short break, turned his back and then asked his press secretary to bring him a glass of water.
Mr Buswell said his wife was aware of the allegation before they were first published on Sunday.
He said it had been a difficult time for him ``on a personal level''.
Mr Buswell has previously admitted to snapping a Labor staffer's bra at a drunken party trick and has been accused by retiring Liberal MP Katie Hodson-Thomas of making sexist remarks to her.
Despite increasing public scrutiny of Mr Buswell's behaviour towards women, the Opposition Leader said he would not be standing down.
Words fail me :)
Full story and a video of the man himseff at News.com.au
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