Political staffer says he still respected Gareth Ward professionally after alleged 2015 rape

<p>Four years after alleged assault, staffer wrote to Kiama MP in 2019 stating ‘your friendship means the world to me’, Sydney court hears</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/jun/03/australia-news-live-teal-nicolette-boele-bradfield-rich-list-superannuation-tax-labor-minimum-wage-case-fair-work-commission-ntwnfb">Australia news live: latest politics updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>A political staffer has told a Sydney court he embellished a glowing email he wrote to a state MP who allegedly sexually assaulted him years earlier.</p><p>The Kiama MP, Gareth Ward, 44, is on trial in the New South Wales district court after pleading not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault charges.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/03/gareth-ward-nsw-mp-kiama-trial-alleged-sexual-assault-victim-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>