Member in red wine shame

An Australian MP has resigned from his position as chair of the ethics committee after being caught in a red wine sexting scandal.

Peter Dowling MP, the member for Redlands in Queensland’s state parliament sent images to his secret mistress, which included a photo of his private parts in a glass of red wine. No details of which wine it was in have been released.

Queensland’s Courier Mail newspaper said it had seen several explicit messages that were sent from Dowling’s phone, which included ” a picture of his penis in a glass of red wine, a self-shot image of his crotch while wearing boxer shorts and a full frontal picture of his genitalia.”

Speaking to Queensland’s parliament Dowling said: “I’m not proud of the events plastered all over today’s paper. I can’t and won’t defend any part of it.

“I owe my staff an apology for the calls and emails they will no doubt be fielding.

“I owe my colleagues and fellow members an apology for any embarrassment or any poor reflection on the party.

“I do not wish for this issue and for my family to be dragged through the media any longer than necessary.”