A senior Victorian Liberal MP has apologised for having too much to drink after he was thrown out of a gala event for being “inappropriately jolly”.
Shadow treasurer David Davis was reportedly heavily intoxicated at the Victorian Multicultural Commission dinner on Saturday.
Witness accounts revealed the MP was acting inappropriately towards guests, including touching, hugging and getting to close to people.
While his behaviour wasn’t labelled aggressive or creepy, one witness said he had acted “inappropriately jolly”, and refused to leave the event despite being asked multiple times.
The 59-year-old issued a public apology over his behaviour and did not dispute accounts from other guests.
“I acknowledge I had too much to drink at a public function,” he said in a statement.
“That was a mistake. It is not behaviour that is acceptable to me, my colleagues, or the public.”
Mr Davis attended the events with Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, Liberal MPs and other community leaders and politicians.
Asked how much he drank over the course of the night, Mr Davis said: “Well, too much but I don’t think I need to go through the micro-detail of that but I did drink too much and thereby that’s my mistake.”
xjmtzyw“It’s sufficient to say that I left. I’ve done the wrong thing, I’m sorry about that. I’m regretful.”
The incident comes months after former Liberal frontbencher Tim Smith was forced to quit politics over a drink-driving car crash.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy on Thursday said Mr Davis would not be punished for the behaviour.
He said he had not received any official complaints.
“He wouldn’t be the first politician to have committed this sin and he won’t be the last. He’s apologised for it and I think that’s enough”
A Liberal source told the Herald Sun they doubted the formal complaint would lead to any Liberal Party sanction.
But they said the incident should be a “wake up call”.
“David’s a bit wasted at every function, so I didn’t blink,” one source said.
A motion was moved in the upper house by the government against Mr Davis’ behaviour.
