Tory mayoral hopeful accused of groping woman at Downing Street meeting

27 June 2023 , 08:58

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Tory mayoral hopeful Daniel Korski is accused of groping TV producer Daisy Goodwin in Downing Street, which he denies 'in the strongest possible terms' (Image: Getty Images Europe)

A Tory candidate vying to be the next Mayor of London has been accused of groping a woman at a meeting in Downing Street.

TV producer and writer Daisy Goodwin claimed former No 10 advisor Daniel Korski put his hand on her breast.

In a statement Mr Korski's representatives said he denied the allegation "in the strongest possible terms".

Ms Goodwin - who has spoken about the alleged incident before but not named the man she accused of groping - said she was identifying him now after he was shortlisted as mayoral candidate.

It is claimed to have happened 10 years ago, when Mr Korski was a special advisor to then-PM David Cameron.

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Writing in The Times, she said: "When we both stood up at the end of the meeting and went to the door, the spad stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast.

Mr Korski was a special advisor to David Cameron when the alleged incident happened (korski4london.com)

"Astonished, I said loudly, 'Are you really touching my breast?' The spad sprang away from me and I left."

Ms Goodwin said that although "legally his action could be called sexual assault", she did not feel frightened.

She wrote: "I have to say that I did not feel frightened. I was older, taller and very possibly wiser than the spad, and having worked for the BBC in the Eighties I knew how to deal with gropers.

"What I felt was surprise and some humiliation. I was a successful award-winning TV producer with 40 or so people working for me; this was not behaviour that I would have tolerated in my office."

She later said she framed it as an anecdote and said the behaviour was "so bizarre" that she saw some humour in it.

"It was as if I had walked into Carry On Downing Street," Ms Goodwin wrote.

Ms Goodwin said the meeting had been about a potential TV show focusing on how the Government had supported small and medium businesses.

She added: "Naively I assumed that if everyone already knew then his egregious behaviour would not be tolerated any more.

"But now the spad who groped me, aka Daniel Korski, is running to be the Tory candidate for mayor of London. This I think is a reason to name him."

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This morning a spokesperson for Mr Korski said: "In the strongest possible terms, Dan categorically denies any allegation of inappropriate behaviour whatsoever."

He later released a longer statement reiterating his denial and saying he remains committed to becoming mayor.

Mr Korski branded the allegation "baseless" and said: "I know that simply denying such allegations may not be enough to alleviate the concerns and doubts that might arise in your minds.

"I firmly believe in the importance of empathy, respect and the well-being of every individual within society.

"I am - and have always been - committed to fostering an environment where everybody feels valued, heard and supported. As a father I am especially committed to making sure everyone feels safe on the streets of London.

"To those who have been affected by any form of misconduct or harassment, let me assure you that I stand firmly against such behaviour. I am committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported."

He subsequently told TalkTV: "I have denied these allegations. And I believe that it's only fair for somebody who is innocent to be allowed to carry on with what they're trying to do, especially in the service of others, which is what I'm seeking to do."

Mr Korski is one of three Tories competing to be the next candidate for Mayor of London.

He's up against former City Hall Tory leader Susan Hall and barrister Mozammel Hossain, whose own campaign has been embroiled in controversy after two of his staff appeared in a video of a rule-breaking "jingle and mingle" Christmas bash while Covid restrictions were in place.

A Tory party spokesman said: “The Conservative Party has an established Code of Conduct and formal processes where complaints can be made in confidence.

"The Party considers all complaints made under the Code of Conduct but does not conduct investigations where the Party would not be considered to have primary jurisdiction over another authority."

Dominic McGrath