Slipper set to face new sex claims

James Ashby

James Ashby has lodged a sexual harassment complaint against Peter Slipper. Picture: Megan Slade
Source: The Daily Telegraph





MORE former staff members of Speaker Peter Slipper are considering making claims of sexual harassment as his court fight with adviser James Ashby begins.


It is believed they had previously complained about the Queensland MP’s behaviour, with several understood to have taken leave after becoming “distressed”.

One ex-employee said: “My understanding is that one former staff member who left in unusual circumstances may have been contacted” by lawyers for Mr Ashby.

The new developments came as the MP’s long standing driver, Tim Conroy, was named in court documents as being involved in an exchange of text messages with Mr Slipper about Mr Ashby.

Mr Conroy last night claimed that the reported conversation – detailed in court documents – was a “complete fabrication”.

In a statement of claim filed in the Federal Court late yesterday, Mr Ashby accuses Mr Slipper of treating his female and heterosexual staff better than gay men who worked for him.

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The adviser – who accuses Mr Slipper of sexual harassment – says he has suffered “offence, humiliation, distress, anxiety and stress” including “physical symptoms” because he “was required to work in a sexually hostile working environment”.

Last night, a spokesman for Mr Ashby said he planned to “significantly expand the scope of his claim against the Commonwealth and Mr Slipper after the process of legal discovery is complete”.

The Federal Court will begin hearing the claims made against Mr Slipper this Friday.

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