Former No 10 aide denies groping top producer in Downing St
3 min read
A former No 10 aide has denied claims he groped a top television producer in Downing St.
Daniel Korski, who worked as an advisor during David Cameron’s prime-ministership, admitted meeting Daisy Goodwin twice in Downing St but described allegations of assault as “not only totally false but also totally bizarre”.
Ms Goodwin claimed the incident took place as they discussed her plans for a drama on the life of Queen Victoria.
She said an official “touched her breast” during a meeting. She said it "didn't occur" to her to report what had happened, but she had decided to speak out because of the Westminster sex scandal.
Following her article, Downing St has reportedly been attempting to make contact with her.
Although she has not named the perpetrator, Mr Korski’s name was linked to the incident on Guido Fawkes.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph last night, Mr Korski said: “I am shocked to find this is in any way connected to me. I met with Mrs Goodwin in No 10 twice I think, and she may have met others too.
“But I categorically deny any allegation of inappropriate behaviour. Any such allegation would not only be totally false but also totally bizarre.”
Mr Korski worked as deputy head of Mr Cameron’s policy unit after working as an adviser for Andrew Mitchell.
Mr Cameron said yesterday he found out about the accusations when Ms Goodwin wrote the article.
His spokesman said: “David Cameron was first made aware of this serious allegation yesterday.
"He was alarmed, shocked and concerned to learn of it and immediately informed the Cabinet Office.
"As is usual practice, the Cabinet Office will thoroughly investigate any complaint made."
‘SUMMONED’
Ms Goodwin wrote in the Radio Times: "A few years ago I was summoned to Downing Street during the Cameron administration to talk to an official about an idea for a television programme.
"The official, who was a few years younger than me, showed me into a room dominated by a portrait of Mrs T and we sat at a table carved, he told me, from one piece of wood. Then to my surprise he put his feet on my chair (we were sitting side by side) and said that my sunglasses made me look like a Bond Girl.
"At the end of the meeting we both stood up and the official, to my astonishment, put his hand on my breast. I looked at the hand and then in my best Lady Bracknell voice said, ‘Are you actually touching my breast?’"
Ms Goodwin added: "He dropped his hand and laughed nervously. I swept out in what can only be called high dudgeon. I wasn’t traumatised, I was cross, but by the next day it had become an anecdote, The Day I Was Groped In Number 10 – an account of male delusion. It didn’t occur to me to report the incident, I was fine, after all, and who on earth would I report it to?”
Numerous MPs have faced sexual harassment allegations in recent weeks, including First Secretary Damian Green, who denies behaving inappropriately with a female journalist.
A Cabinet Office inquiry is being held into whether he broke the ministerial code, and will also probe claims that pornography was found on his Commons computer in 2008 - an accusation he also denies.
Michael Fallon was forced to quit as Defence Secretary after admitting he acted inappropriately towards a number of women, while trade minister Mark Garnier is also being investigated over claims he made his former secretary buy two sex toys.
Bex Bailey, a former member of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, claimed she was raped by a party official, while a female Westminster staffer has said she was attacked by an MP on a foreign trip.
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