Civic Coalition MP Marcin Józefaciuk, who today received a formal letter confirming his suspension from the parliamentary club, announced that he will appeal the last of three charges against him – the allegation that he allowed a person convicted of pedophilia to attend a parliamentary committee meeting.
On Saturday, Civic Coalition club leader Zbigniew Konwiński informed the media that Józefaciuk was suspended for two months due to his “criticism of the government’s education policy” and for “allowing a convicted person” to take part in a committee session. Referring to the latter case, Konwiński confirmed that it concerned the 4 August meeting of the Parliamentary Group for the Protection of Children in the Process of Parental Separation, which was attended by a man convicted of sexual crimes against his own child.
At a press conference in the Sejm on Monday, Józefaciuk said he had just received the letter from the party’s ethics and discipline officer confirming his suspension from club membership. He explained that the decision was justified on three counts:
- Submitting amendments to a bill without consulting the club leadership,
- Publicly criticizing the government’s education policy,
- Allowing a convicted pedophile into a parliamentary group meeting.
Józefaciuk stressed that he fully accepts responsibility for the first two points but rejects the third.
“I believe this is an unfair reason. I will certainly appeal this third point. I will not take responsibility simply because someone wants to exploit a loophole in the law,” he declared.
The MP explained that the 4 August meeting “was consultative, not expert in nature” and that the participants were put forward by associations and foundations. He noted that the verification procedure was limited.
“It is indeed a scandal that such a person appeared without the knowledge of the chair,” he admitted, adding that he would present the Sejm and Senate leadership with proposals for changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Józefaciuk insisted he would not allow himself to be made “a scapegoat” or to bear “full blame for the presence of a convicted person” when he was unaware of it. He added that he had given the club full information on the matter, but it had been ignored.
The MP stated he still wants to remain a member of the Civic Coalition club, but he hopes for “a return to discussion” within its ranks.