NSW ALP boss Jamie Clements resigns amid pressure over sexual harassment claims

New South Wales ALP general secretary Jamie Clements has resigned from his role amid federal pressure over accusations of sexual harassment.

Apprehended violence order proceedings against Mr Clements were dropped yesterday, after a last-minute deal was reached.

He was accused of pushing Labor staffer Stefanie Jones against a wall and trying to kiss her in June last year.

After rumours earlier today of his resignation, Mr Clements told the ABC that he had not resigned, but that he was facing pressure from a number of Labor figures.

By the afternoon Mr Clements confirmed he had resigned after talking with Mr Shorten, NSW Labor leader Luke Foley and party president Mark Lennon.

“While I have done nothing wrong, I have made the decision in the best interests of the party and my family,” he said in a statement.

Mr Clements said he rejected the version of events portrayed in the media about the alleged sexual harassment.

“This matter was the subject of a thorough police investigation and a separate independent investigation conducted on the balance of probabilities, neither of which resulted in any charges or findings of wrongdoing on my part,” the statement read.

“I agreed to undertakings in order to spare the party, my family and all those involved a difficult and traumatic legal process.

“Those undertaking were made on a strictly no-admissions basis.”

The ABC understands Mr Clements had demanded $1 million to stand down, but at this stage there are no details about his exit package.

Earlier today Mr Shorten said he had “stepped in” to help resolve the continuing scandal.

“I have no tolerance for workplace harassment in any set of circumstances,” he said.

“This morning I have contacted the state president of the NSW Labor Party and asked him to provide a report to my national secretary on matters relating to NSW.

“The NSW branch has been handling this matter, it’s a party matter … I have now stepped in.”

Mr Clements also released a statement on the deal reached yesterday, saying it was not an admission of guilt on his part.

“I have cooperated fully through this process and am pleased it has reached a resolution which allows all involved to move forward,” he said.

“I have always contested the version of events which has been publicly reported and the agreement reached today is without admission on my part.”

The allegations follow the resignation of Federal Liberal MP Jamie Briggs from his portfolio after a late-night incident involving a female staffer in a Hong Kong bar.

Mr Briggs, the former minister for cities and the built environment, resigned late last month.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.