Don Meredith's harassment and bullying probe to continue despite resignation

The inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace by former senator Don Meredith will continue even though he resigned earlier this spring.

The Senate's standing committee on ethics and conflict of interest for senators released its decision late Wednesday night.

The report released on the committee website states the allegationsshould be "fully investigated for the fairness of the employees involved and former senator Meredith."

• Don Meredith resigns from Senate over relationship with teen

Under the Senate ethics code, the inquiry was permanently suspendedwhen Meredith ceased to be a senator after resigning onMay 10.

Meredith quit after it was determined he broke Senate rules when he had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl and the ethics committee recommended he be expelled.

The ethics officer, Lyse Ricard, was also looking into allegations against Meredith of sexual harassment, harassment and abuse of authority in the workplace since July 2015.

Ricard also resigned

The Senate ethics committee decided the investigation should be completed even though the Senate can't impose sanctions now that Meredith has resigned.

"The committee believes that the Senate ethics officer's inquiryreport could provide guidance respecting the interpretation andapplication of the general rules of conduct to cases of workplaceabuse of authority and harassment, especially in identifying whenworkplace misbehaviour becomes conduct unbecoming a senator," the report stated.

• Senator DanielLangsubject of workplace harassment allegations

The report does not indicate when the inquiry will be complete.

Earlier this week,Ricard, who was leading the harassment probe, quit because of theunexpected illness of her husband.

• Senate ethics officer Lyse Ricard resigns from post

A third inquiry into Meredith's behaviour has been dropped. Theethics probe was looking into allegations the Meredith used his Senateposition to advance his own private interests and those of hisbusiness partner.

The committee felt this inquiry related more to whether Meredith was fit to sit as a senator. Since he is no longer in the Red Chamber thecommittee decided there was no reason to continue this investigation.

• Don Meredith eligible for pension because he resigned