A powerful politician has taken leave from his local council job and been removed from another senior role after explosive footage emerged of him dry humping on air and ridiculing a gay colleague.
Kent Johns, considered an influential figure within NSW Liberal ranks, made lewd comments in October 2022, months after losing an internal battle for an upper house seat.
On Thursday, he issued a statement revealing he was “taking leave from Sutherland Council” to “address the issues that led me to make this extremely serious error of judgement.”
‘It is with great regret that I acknowledge an error in judgment that has clouded my commitment to the LGBTI+ community.
“As a long-time supporter of LGBTI+ rights, I am deeply disappointed in my own behavior.”
As well as taking time off from his role as a councillor, Daily Mail Australia can reveal Johns has agreed to “step aside” from his role as Head of Policy and Government Relations at the National Electrical and Communications Association.
A spokesman said a review would be carried out “into recent media reports about his behaviour”.
Johns contacted the colleague in question, Chris Rath, after being approached by Daily Mail Australia about the nature of the video.
Kent Johns, considered an influential figure within NSW Liberal ranks, made lewd comments in October 2022, months after losing an internal battle for an upper house seat.
He apologized both publicly and privately for the lewd comments he made.
The Sutherland Shire councilor had finished at a taxpayer-funded work event in the Hunter Valley when the incident took place at an after-party at around 1am
In the video, Johns dry humps in front of several other men, saying “stick it up my ass” and “Rath is bad,” in an apparent reference to fellow gay liberal Chris Rath.
Rath is one of two openly gay Liberal Party members in the New South Wales Parliament and recently proposed to his long-term partner in France.
In audio that was less clear, Johns said “I don’t like it,” followed again by the word “Rath.”
At least one man is heard laughing in the background of the audio, while another makes a fist motion toward Mr. Johns’ butt.
Sutherland Shire councilor Kent Johns, considered a power man within NSW Liberal ranks, made lewd comments in October 2022, months after losing a battle for an upper house seat.
‘I seek forgiveness and commit to upholding the values of inclusion, respect and equality that define our community.
‘As I undergo the process of dealing with the underlying issues that led to the bad behavior exhibited. I kindly ask for privacy.’
Rath had a subtle response to the scandal on Wednesday, sharing comments about X made by colleague Jacqui Munro.
Ms Munro said: “Homophobia has no place in the Liberal Party or politics. Councilor Johns’ rude behavior must be strongly condemned. I condemn it.
“It is unacceptable, harmful and not representative of the views of the local community or our party.”
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, Mr Johns admitted: “It was a really stupid thing to say.
‘I was stupid. It was 1am… It was a stupid thing to say.’
He later added: “It was years ago, after a night out, when I said some pretty stupid things, but that’s not the person I am.”
“Very sorry”.
The mobile phone vision appears to have been filmed inside a hotel suite with several men present.
Daily Mail Australia understands that, in addition to this footage, there are other audio clips from the night in question in which Johns went on a rampage against other colleagues.
Former state treasurer Matt Kean took a spray and was described as a “piece of shit” overnight, The Australian’s Margin Call column reported on Tuesday.
Kean responded to that Thursday, describing Johns as an “ineligible and unacceptable candidate.”
The vision comes at an awkward time for Johns, who faces a local election battle in September.
He served twice as mayor and has 25 years of experience in local government. He was previously vice-president of the New South Wales Liberal Party and served as acting president.
At least one man is heard laughing in the background of the audio, while another makes a fist motion toward Mr. Johns’ butt.