No pants, no problem: MP cleared over night parly visit

A former minister's late-night arrival at Parliament house sans slacks and security pass has been cleared by an ethics committee.

However concerns have been raised over how confidential details of Gareth Ward's eyebrow-raising after hours visit made its way into newspapers.

The former NSW families, communities and disability services minister was dressed in boxers and a jumper after locking himself out of his Sydney city apartment near state parliament on July 21.

Mr Ward said he jumped out of bed around 4am after hearing a noise outside, only to lock himself out.

Believing his chances of getting a locksmith were slim, he went to parliament to pick up spare keys in his office and was let in by a parliamentary security guard.

Premier Chris Minns in September said the behaviour was not appropriate.

But a parliamentary ethics committee, most of which were government MPs, disagreed.

The committee reviewed the security report and unanimously resolved the incident had not caused any complaints, safety concerns or any other matters requiring further investigation by the lower house.

MPs were entitled to access the parliamentary precinct safely and securely at any time, committee chair Alex Greenwich said.

"This includes when they have forgotten or lost their pass," the independent MP said.

"When a member does not have their pass with them, the special constables are there to assist them in accessing the precinct."

He added it was concerning that a confidential security report and details of Mr Ward entering the building were provided to media.

Speaker Greg Piper had been urged to strengthen measures ensuring the safety and privacy of members entering and exiting the parliamentary precinct.

Mr Ward was a cabinet minister in the Berejiklian government before moving to the crossbench after being charged with historical sex offences, which he denies.

He was re-elected as an independent at the last election.

The Kiama MP made headlines in 2020 when found naked and confused late at night outside his Potts Point apartment after he became "disoriented" at home because of the effects of earlier general anaesthetic.

An hour later - after escorting Mr Ward inside - police were called back to the apartment after reports the then-minister was wandering around outside in his underwear.