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| John Conyers quits House judiciary committee amid sexual harassment allegations | John Conyers quits House judiciary committee amid sexual harassment allegations |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Democratic congressman John Conyers stepped down from the House judiciary committee on Sunday, amid allegations he used taxpayers’ money to settle cases with women who accused him of sexual misconduct. | The Democratic congressman John Conyers stepped down from the House judiciary committee on Sunday, amid allegations he used taxpayers’ money to settle cases with women who accused him of sexual misconduct. |
| The news came shortly after the House minority leader, Nancy Pelosi, was widely criticised for calling the 88-year-old an “icon” because of his work in the civil rights movement. | The news came shortly after the House minority leader, Nancy Pelosi, was widely criticised for calling the 88-year-old an “icon” because of his work in the civil rights movement. |
| “John Conyers is an icon in our country,” she said. “He has done a great deal to protect women.” | “John Conyers is an icon in our country,” she said. “He has done a great deal to protect women.” |
| Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Pelosi stopped short of calling for Conyers’ resignation from Congress. The Michigan representative, she said, would “do the right thing”. | Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Pelosi stopped short of calling for Conyers’ resignation from Congress. The Michigan representative, she said, would “do the right thing”. |
| Conyers, who denies the allegations, said in a statement he wanted to stay on the committee but did not want to undermine his colleagues as he faces an ethics investigation. | Conyers, who denies the allegations, said in a statement he wanted to stay on the committee but did not want to undermine his colleagues as he faces an ethics investigation. |
| “I very much look forward to vindicating myself and my family before the House committee on ethics,” Conyers said. | “I very much look forward to vindicating myself and my family before the House committee on ethics,” Conyers said. |
| In a statement announcing Conyers’ departure from the judiciary committee, Pelosi said: “We must ensure the Congress has a climate of dignity and respect with zero tolerance for sexual harassment.” | In a statement announcing Conyers’ departure from the judiciary committee, Pelosi said: “We must ensure the Congress has a climate of dignity and respect with zero tolerance for sexual harassment.” |
| Lisa Bloom, an attorney for a woman who filed a sexual harassment complaint against Conyers in 2014, said in a statement her client was forced to sign a confidentiality agreement, which she asked Conyers and Congress to release. | Lisa Bloom, an attorney for a woman who filed a sexual harassment complaint against Conyers in 2014, said in a statement her client was forced to sign a confidentiality agreement, which she asked Conyers and Congress to release. |
| “Basic fairness and decency dictate that if Mr Conyers can speak publicly about the matter, the woman should be free to do so as well,” Bloom said. | “Basic fairness and decency dictate that if Mr Conyers can speak publicly about the matter, the woman should be free to do so as well,” Bloom said. |
| Jerrold Nadler of New York, the second-ranking Democrat on the judiciary committee, said in a statement: “Mr Conyers has a 50-year legacy of advancing the cause of justice, and my job moving forward is to continue that critical work.” | Jerrold Nadler of New York, the second-ranking Democrat on the judiciary committee, said in a statement: “Mr Conyers has a 50-year legacy of advancing the cause of justice, and my job moving forward is to continue that critical work.” |
| The allegations against Conyers come amid a cascade of accusations of sexual misconduct in politics, Hollywood and other industries. | The allegations against Conyers come amid a cascade of accusations of sexual misconduct in politics, Hollywood and other industries. |
| In Democratic ranks, the Minnesota senator Al Franken has been accused of inappropriate behavior by four women. He has issued apologies and submitted his case to the ethics committee. | In Democratic ranks, the Minnesota senator Al Franken has been accused of inappropriate behavior by four women. He has issued apologies and submitted his case to the ethics committee. |
| “I’m embarrassed and ashamed,” Franken told the Minnesota Star Tribune on Sunday. | |
| Franken contacted local Minnesota media one day before returning to Congress, which has been in recess for Thanksgiving. The first allegation against him was made just before the recess and he has kept a low profile in the nearly two weeks since. | |
| In response to a question about whether he expects more women to come forward, Franken said: “If you had asked me two weeks ago, ‘Would any woman say I had treated her with disrespect?’ I would have said no. | |
| “So this has just caught me by surprise ... I certainly hope not.” |