Liberal MP Andrew Laming has apologised to two Redland women who accused him of verbal abuse.
Sheena Hewlett, the wife of Redland councillor Lance Hewlett and Alix Russo, the Night Ninjas charity group founder, complained that Mr Laming had harrassed them online and made false allegations.
The complaints were aired on Channel 9, and could not have come at a worse time for Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
He is under intense pressure over his handling of sexual assault, rape and misbehaviour claims in Parliament and faces a Cabinet reshuffle as ministers and MPs face allegations.
Mr Morrison said he had spoken to Mr Laming, telling him he must apologise in Parliament for his behaviour.
Mr Laming has conceded he caused significant distress to Mrs Hewlett and Ms Russo.
He said he had written to both women to express regret and apologise.
"I want to retract those comments and issue an unreserved public apology," he said in a statement.
Mr Laming is active on social media and has previously complained on his Facebook site about Cr Hewlett and Mrs Hewlett's involvement in political issues.
Her brother is former LNP MP Peter Dowling who lost his seat of Redlands over a social media issue in 2014.
Mr Laming has complained that the Hewletts have helped Labor in the seat which is now held by Labor's Kim Richards.
"Sheena blocked every Liberal the day her husband wasn't promoted, and went to the Labor Party," Mr Laming wrote on his Facebook site.
Mrs Hewlett said today that she had not fallen out with the Liberal Party.
"It's not about politics, it's about behaviour of individuals," she said. "Also untrue regarding council elections."
Mrs Hewlett said rather than being about bad blood it was about six years of stress and anxiety and it was muckraking for other issues to be raised.
"Did I support Kim Richards? Absolutely. Not because of her party but because of her tireless commitment to Redlands. Honestly, don't divert from the real story here."
She said Mr Laming held a position of power and his behaviour was not appropriate.
Ms Hewlett told Nine that she had written to Mr Morrison and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull about Mr Laming but had not heard back.
Australian Associated Press
