Australia's Parliamentary Speaker Peter Slipper has stepped aside following allegations of sexual harassment and fraud against him.
62-years-old Slipper, who returned to Australia today, issued a statement emphatically denying the allegations that he harassed one of his advisers, James Ashby, and that he misused cabcharges.
"The allegations include both a claim of criminal behaviour and a claim under civil law," Slipper said, referring to the allegations of fraud and harassment, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Slipper has been accused by 33-year-old Ashby of making unwelcome advances towards him and sending him sexually explicit text messages, the paper said.
Ashby has launched legal action in the Federal Court against Slipper.
"As such, I believe it is appropriate for me to stand aside as Speaker while this criminal allegation is resolved. Once it is clear they are untrue I shall return to the Speakership," he said.
Slipper said the allegations were incorrect and once they were shown to be so he would return to the speakership.
In the meantime Labor MP and Deputy Speaker Anna Burke will act as Speaker.
The opposition has demanded Slipper's resignation.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott said Prime Minister Julia Gillard had to restore the integrity of the parliament following allegations of the "gravest kind" made against Slipper.
Treasurer Wayne Swan said Slipper was entitled to the presumption of innocence while the matters were before the court, he said.
"These are allegations that are in legal proceedings," he said.
The paper said that Prime Minister cannot directly dismiss Slipper from the Speakership but he could lose his position by a vote in the House of Representatives.