PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has vowed she will not stand down as premier after her past relationship with disgraced Wagga MP Daryl Maguire was forced into the public realm.
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Just hours after she gave evidence at the Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry, Ms Berejiklian fronted the media and admitted she "stuffed up in her personal life".
Despite calls from the state's opposition leader Jodi McKay for her resignation, Ms Berejiklian said she would not because she "did not do anything wrong".
It was revealed during Monday's hearing that Ms Berejiklian had a "close personal relationship" with Mr Maguire since 2015 and the pair only ceased communication several months ago despite his resignation in 2018.
"He lost his career, friends - he lost everything and he was in a very dark place and I did not think I could stop being his friend during that time," Ms Berejiklian said.
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"Had I known then what I know now, of course I would not have had anything to do with him, but I did not know the extent of what he was alleged to have done."
Ms Berejiklian continued to describe the ordeal as a "personal nightmare" that has been "devastating" to experience.
"I am human and I stuffed up in my personal life," she said.
"As someone who is extremely private and cautious and conservative in the way she leads her life, it has been very difficult to have that out on full display.
"I want the public to know that never ever have I done anything but to completely serve the public. Never ever have I done anything that was not the highest standard of integrity.
"Where I have failed is in my personal life and I accept that and take full responsibility for that."
Although there were claims people might have made attempts to influence the premier and forgo proper process, Ms Berejiklian assured that these actions had failed - and that was important to remember.
"I want to say strongly to the people of this state that there is one way to get things done in this government and that is through the front door, through the proper process. I am pleased to say that the process has been held up," she said.
"I want everyone to know that, notwithstanding the personal pressures I was under, that at every opportunity I have had I worked my guts out for the people of this state and always put the people first."