Daniel Korski: Daisy Goodwin makes formal complaint

Daisy Goodwin has complained formally to the Cabinet Office about Tory London mayoral hopeful Daniel Korski.

On Monday, novelist and TV producer Ms Goodwin said he had groped her during a meeting at 10 Downing Street in 2013.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said she had not reported the matter at the time because of the attitudes of the day.

Mr Korski "categorically denies" her allegations and says he is still in the race to become a mayoral candidate.

Ms Goodwin, 61, told Today's Martha Kearney: "I didn't think to report it then because I felt, 'Well, this is part of the rough and tumble of daily life', and I feel now when I speak out most people believe me."

She said she believed attitudes had "completely changed" in the decade since her encounter with Mr Korski.

The writer and TV producer, who was behind the successful ITV drama Victoria, explained she had faced difficulty trying to make her formal complaint to the Cabinet Office on Tuesday, struggling to get 10 Downing Street's switchboard to put her through to anyone on the phone.

She said she had not complained to the Conservative Party but was happy to do so, adding she felt "entirely justified" in naming Mr Korski, 46, due to his mayoral ambitions.

When she was asked by Ms Kearney whether she was sure about the alleged assault, she replied: "I'm really surprised you're asking me that. "When something like this happens to you, you know it's happened to you because you were there, you felt it, you felt amazed, shocked, rather humiliated."

In her article in the Times, Ms Goodwin said that Mr Korski - then a special adviser at 10 Downing Street - had put his hand on her breast.

Ms Goodwin said that since the article's publication other women had contacted her with "interesting stories", but added she could not provide details for legal reasons.

In an interview with TalkTV on Tuesday, Mr Korski was asked about the possibility of further accusations, replying: "To the best of my knowledge, absolutely, I don't expect anybody to come out and say anything."

Downing Street described the claims against Mr Korski as "very serious".

Asked if the prime minister would encourage anyone with complaints against former staff members to come forward, a spokeswoman said: "Yes, of course."

She added: "The two parties are telling different stories; the proper processes should be followed and conclusions shouldn't be drawn until the processes are followed through."

Born in Denmark, he is the son of Polish emigres.

He was deputy head of the Number 10 policy unit between 2013 and 2016.

A campaigner to stay in the EU, he left Number 10 when David Cameron did after the Brexit referendum. He has previously worked for a think tank and as a journalist.

He is a technology entrepreneur, having set up his own business providing support for companies seeking contracts in the public sector.

The central message of his campaign to be the Conservatives' mayoral candidate is enabling people to achieve the "London dream".

His key offer is the pledge to provide new solutions to old problems, such as pay-per-mile road-pricing to tackle congestion and air pollution in the capital.

Mr Korksi's campaign team said he welcomed any investigation and would co-operate fully.

During his TalkTV interview, Mr Korski said "all I can say is that she is wrong". He agreed that a meeting had taken place but dismissed the groping allegation as "categorically" untrue.

Mr Korski said: "All I can say is that I've always tried to comport myself with the utmost respect when I've been positions of leadership; I've sought to create the kind of empowering, diverse environment where everyone can feel safe and can grow in their jobs."

Some Tory MP backers of Mr Korski have paused their support for his campaign.

One of them, children and families minister Claire Coutinho, said any complaint should be investigated "swiftly".

"At the same time, this is an allegation. He's roundly denied it," she told Sky News.

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