A New Zealand parliamentary staffer has been stood down over a historical sexual assault allegation, hours after the House's speaker suggested a man accused of attacks may still be working in the building.
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Speaker Trevor Mallard - who oversees parliament's day-to-day operations and security - this week released a damning report into bullying and harassment among staff and politicians working in "The Beehive".
The independent investigation, which did not name or identify any of the complainants or those being accused, also included 14 allegations by women of sexual assaults in the precinct in recent years.
Mallard on Wednesday announced an employee of the country's Parliamentary Service had been stood down and an employment investigation launched after another staffer came forward with a historical complaint.
"The Parliamentary Service has removed a threat to the safety of women working in the parliamentary complex," Mallard said.
He had earlier said the report left him with the impression at least three reported cases amounted to rape, and that he believed the single, male perpetrator could still be working in parliament.
"We're talking about serious sexual assault. Well that, for me, that's rape," he told Radio New Zealand on Wednesday.
"I get the sense that the man is still on the premises."
He declined to say if the person stood down was the subject of those claims, while officials said the incident relating to the suspended staffer had been previously investigated, but not as a rape allegation.
The accusations raised serious concerns about safety around New Zealand's halls of power on Wednesday, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had sought assurances staff would be safe.
"We need to first ensure that victims have all the support they need, but that everything actually needs to be decided by them. The choice of reporting to the police is ultimately for them," Ardern told media.
"The responsibility - regardless of their decision - upon (us) is to ensure this is a safe working environment."
Opposition deputy leader Paula Bennett urged the speaker to call in police immediately, despite privacy concerns.
"I'm not saying they should out the victims. The victims have a complete right to their privacy," Bennett told reporters.
"But I also have concerns on the behalf of people working here that they feel that there is a known perpetrator of a crime and they feel unsafe."
Police declined to comment.
Australian Associated Press
