Peter Dowling's mistress 'enjoyed the people's money' The mistress of a Queensland MP who photographed his penis in a glass of red wine says she "enjoyed the people's money" when the pair went on official trips together. Peter Dowling stepped aside as chair of the parliamentary ethics committee on Tuesday, saying he "can't and won't" defend his behaviour after being outed by his former lover, known only as Roslyn. In a four-page letter to Queensland Speaker Fiona Simpson, the woman has alleged the pair used Mr Dowling's parliamentary annexe bedsit and Victoria Point electorate office for sex. In an interview aired on Nine News on Tuesday, the woman said she had also enjoyed the perks of parliamentary travel. I enjoyed the perks of the Australian taxpayers' (sic) because I was in the hotel with him. The divorced mother said the MP, who was "very charismatic and knew what to say," led her to believe "we would be able to have a life together in the future." It was very passionate. He made me feel it was real," she said. Of the explicit text messages and pornographic photographs the woman said: "We didn't have any inhibitions, put it that way." Mr Dowling took to Queensland's parliament floor on Tuesday morning to apologise to his wife of 27 years and two children for "the shame and embarrassment I have caused you" and to plead for their privacy. "I don't want pity, I only ask that my family be left alone while this matter is considered by the Clerk," he said. Mr Dowling also stepped down as a member of the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Commission, which oversees the state's corruption watchdog. The powerful ethics committee, which he chaired, deals with complaints about the conduct of parliamentarians. Premier Campbell Newman told parliament he was only made aware of the allegations at 5.30pm on Monday and said he expected due process to be followed. Kim Stephens, Marissa Calligeros and AAP