NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The latest on state Rep. Jeremy Durham, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment and other questionable behavior (all times local):
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3:20 p.m.
State Rep. Jeremy Durham is denying he had an affair with a fellow Republican state lawmaker who resigned last month.
Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey made the allegation that Durham's relationship with former Rep. Leigh Wilburn of Somerville had forced her to step down one year into her first term.
Durham, who is taking a leave from the Legislature, issued a statement that he "categorically denies having any physical relationship" with Wilburn.
Wilburn declined to comment.
Also Thursday, Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell asked state Attorney General Hebert Slatery to launch an independent investigation into Durham's actions and to deliver a report to the General Assembly on his findings.
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12:00 p.m.
House Speaker Beth Harwell says Rep. Jeremy Durham is taking leave from the Legislature amid sexual harassment allegations.
Harwell told reporters after a legislative preview session hosted by The Associated Press and the Tennessee Press Association on Thursday that Durham could be away from the Capitol for up to two weeks.
Durham stepped down as House majority whip on Sunday and then withdrew from the House Republican caucus on Wednesday. But the Franklin lawmaker has denied any wrongdoing and has so far pledged to mount an aggressive re-election campaign.
Harwell has been joined by several other prominent Republicans urging Durham to consider resigning from the Legislature, including Gov. Bill Haslam, state GOP Chairman Ryan Haynes, Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey.
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11:10 a.m.
House Speaker Beth Harwell is getting legal advice about how or whether the chamber could expel fellow Republican state Rep. Jeremy Durham amid allegations of sexual harassment and other questionable behavior.
But Harwell told reporters at the Capitol on Thursday that she hopes it doesn't need to come to that if he steps down on his own.
In the Nashville Republican's words: "As I've said all along, I think it has been his best interest to resign."
Several women have alleged inappropriate behavior by Durham both in person and via text messages, but none have filed a formal complaint.
House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada says he's against a move to expel Durham without a finding by the Legislature's human resources department.
Durham didn't attend Thursday's floor session.