Labor MP Anna Watson has responded to the reports she was ‘drunk’ at parliament’s bar.

NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham used parliamentary privilege to allege Labor MP Anna Watson was “paralytically drunk”  while in parliament’s bar, asking officials whether staff had to stand in front of her car “to stop her from driving home in this paralytically drunk state”.

Anna Watson’s full statement

During a particularly difficult period of my life where a close family member was experiencing a personal crisis, and out of respect for this family member I will not disclose the details of this matter, but I did turn to alcohol to deal with the stress.

The day Mr Latham referred to the Legislative Assembly was not sitting and outside of business hours. [27 August 2020]

I was having a drink with Mr Latham in the Parliament House bar. I thought I had his ear and a shoulder to cry on that evening.

I did drink too much alcohol during that extremely stressful and traumatic period, I recognise this.

I knew that I had had too much to drink that evening and so I took the step most people would and called my husband. He picked me up from the back of the parliament.

I want to be clear – I did not attempt to drive or drive the car.

During that period and subsequently, I did take too much solace in alcohol.

I have been abstaining from alcohol.

Labor Leader Chris Minns told Jim Wilson Ms Watson has been working on herself.

“I think it’s important to state that Anna said that she got terrible personal news that day, it’s also important to say that it wasn’t a parliamentary sitting day and it was late in the afternoon,” he said.

“It wasn’t her best day Jim I’m not suggesting otherwise but to her credit, she hasn’t drunk at all since early this year.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: Anna Watson/Facebook