He released a statement saying he “emphatically” denied the allegations. “The allegations include both a claim of criminal behaviour and claim under civil law,” he said. “As such, I believe it is appropriate for me to stand aside as Speaker while this criminal allegation is resolved.”
He said the allegations of fraud were incorrect and that he would return to the speakership “once it is clear they are untrue”.
On the harassment allegations, he said: “In relation to the civil matter there will be an appropriate process that will resolve the matter in due course.”
The Prime Minister released a statement late this afternoon saying “It is appropriate that Mr Slipper has stood aside whilst criminal conduct is investigated.”
Yesterday, Lauren Dubois wrote:
From the moment Peter Slipper was “reluctantly” dragged into the Speakers chair with his sparkling white bow tie and his dubious history as a Liberal turncoat with a creative approach to expense management, we knew he was going to be a “character”.
We laughingly called him names like “Slippery Pete”, “Slipperace” and “The Rat”. We made jokes about his look-at-moi behaviour. When he re-introduced the Speaker’s Procession we clutched our sides, squealing about what he’d do next. Heralding trumpets beside the speaker’s chair? A gospel choir in the public gallery to rejoice in the righteousness of his rulings? We genuinely hoped he’d keep the game going, perhaps introducing a furry purple hat and cane, P.I.M.P style…. Definitely a novelty sized clock around his neck.
It was all in good fun. He added some much needed colour to parliament and he ended up being a surprisingly effective Speaker.
Now the fun and games are over. Peter Slipper has been accused of sexually harassing his male media adviser.
James Ashby has launched a federal court case against his boss and the Government, seeking compensation. Mr Ashby believes he was hired specifically because he is gay and Peter Slipper, who is married with children, wanted a sexual relationship with him.
The court documents detail a series of text messages and personal conversations that range from the creepy “If you interested we could be closer?” to the horrifically offensive “Have you ever come in a guy’s arse before?”
As soon as James Ashby took the media adviser role in December, he says Slipper became inappropriate. Just a couple of weeks after starting Slipper asked him for a neck massage, groaning in a sexual way until he stopped.
Slipper insisted Ashby move into his Canberra flat with him, and allegedly called him a prude for showering with the door closed. Ashby says Slipper would always shower and use the toilet with the door open.
Government Steps In On Bid To Squash Penalty Rates
The Quicky
