Politician plans to impeach Alabama Governor after he admitted making 'inappropriate remarks' to female aide
Ed Henry said Governor Robert Bentley had 'lost the confidence of the lawmakers and the voters'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Republican politician in Alabama has announced plans to impeach the state’s governor after he admitted making inappropriate remarks to a female political aide.
A member of the Alabama House of Representatives, Ed Henry, said on Wednesday he will introduce a resolution to begin impeachment proceedings against Governor Robert Bentley.
Mr Henry said Governor Bentley had lost the confidence of both lawmakers and voters but acknowledged his measure was unlikely to succeed.
Both men are Republicans but have frequently clashed on several issues over the past two years - including the governor’s proposal to raise taxes in 2015.
Governor Bentley admitted he had made the comments during a news conference last week but denied he and the aide, Rebekah Caldwell Mason, were having an affair.
He said he had apologised to her and to his family for his behaviour.
The governor was heard telling a woman he called Rebekah that he “worried that he loved her too much” in a secretly recorded telephone conversation.
Local news website, AL.com got hold of a copy of the recording where he is heard saying: "You know what? When I stand behind you, and I put my arms around you, and I put my hands on your breasts, and I put my hands (unintelligible) and just pull you real close. I love that, too."
Governor Bentley said his relationship with Ms Caldwell Mason was “not sexual” and he loved all his staff.
It comes as Ms Caldwell Mason announced she was stepping down as his senior political adviser to focus on her “precious children and [her] husband who [she] loves dearly”.
Ms Caldwell Mason joined Governor Bentley’s campaign as his spokeswoman when he began his longshot bid to become governor in 2010.
She previously worked as a news anchor in his hometown, Tuscaloosa, in the west of the state.
Additional reporting by AP
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments