Longest-serving US Congressman steps down after sexual harassment allegations

The longest-serving member of the US Congress, John Conyers, has decided to step down as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee as sexual harassment allegations against him surface, reports said on Sunday.

"After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters," Conyers tweeted on Sunday.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

According to reports, a staff member informed that she was fired for denying to 'succumb to the sexual advances' from the democrat. It was also reported on Tuesday that Conyers had paid an amount of $27,000 in 2015 in exchange for the confidentiality of a former staff member who also said she was then fired.

Media reports also say that he was accused of making several sexual advances in the past.

The Democrat has since denied these allegations which were apparently 'raised by documents reportedly paid for by a blogger'. He added that he is looking forward to 'vindicating himself and his family before the House Committee on Ethics.' According to the congressmen, his role as a Ranking Member on the committee would not be useful until the Ethics Committee investigation is complete.

However, he said that 'he would like very much to remain as Ranking Member as there is still much work to be done on core concerns like securing civil rights, enacting meaningful criminal justice reform, and protecting access to the ballot box.'

Conyers urged that he would never allow his legacy, which he owes to his father John Conyers Sr., his family, and the people of Detroit, to be 'cast aside or by any way be diminished'.

He also tweeted saying 'I am grateful to my colleagues who have called for due process before weighing judgment. I would urge them to continue to do so for any Member accused of wrongdoing. Basic fairness requires no less'.

The leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, claimed that it was justified that Conyers received "due process".

Ms Pelosi called him "an icon" who had advanced women's causes.

However, she tweeted, in reference toConyers: "Zero tolerance means consequences... No matter how great an individual's legacy, it is not a license for harassment.