Tasmanian opposition leader stands aside over reports of sexual harassment allegations

David O'Byrne apologises to his family, saying he genuinely believed the kiss and text exchanges to be consensual'

Tasmania's newly appointed Labor opposition leader has stood down pending the party's investigation of allegations he sexually harassed a woman more than a decade ago.

The ABC reports David O'Byrne is accused of kissing and sending unwanted text messages to a junior employee while he was head of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union in 2007 and 2008.