Ashby files fresh texts in Slipper harassment claim
October 6, 2012 - 6:44PM
Jessica Wright
Breaking news reporter
THE man who has accused Peter Slipper of sexual harassment first advised the suspended parliamentary speaker to manoeuvre for position well before he started working in his office.
Fairfax Media has obtained 200 pages of new text messages that reveal that James Ashby developed a long and close relationship with Mr Slipper and his family before he was employed as a media adviser in December.
The text messages, which were filed by Mr Ashby's legal team in the Federal Court yesterday but have not yet been made public, reveal a ribald relationship between the pair, with frequent use of coarse language, discussions about Mr Ashby's sexuality, dismissive references to female genitalia and political wargaming to "destroy" Mr Slipper's rival, Mal Brough.
Mr Slipper yesterday made an impassioned plea to the court to throw out a sexual harassment case brought against him by Mr Ashby, saying the lawsuit was "dressed up" as a sexual harassment case when it was really designed to "hurt my political career, hurt me financially, destabilise the government and destroy my marriage". No Pete, your alleged behaviour is what will destroy your marriage.
However, Mr Ashby's barrister, Michael Lee, SC, tendered to the court the 200 pages of documents as part of his client's defence against claims made by Mr Slipper that the staffer was "grooming" the Speaker, not the other way around.
Mr Lee read a small selection of messages to the court and tendered the rest into evidence, saying that, shown in their full context, it was clear Mr Slipper was not set up.
The affidavit, obtained by Fairfax Media, includes every single text message – notated with the words “read” or “sent” accompanied by explanatory remarks by Mr Ashby's legal team in a side column.
The new text messages also reveal:
- Mr Ashby first met Mr Slipper in July last year while attending an LNP event on the Sunshine Coast and was asked to dinner at the Slipper residence that evening.
- Mr Ashby received message from Mr Slipper’s wife, Inge, the next day, that read : ‘‘James, you scallywag! Thanks for coming friday night and bringing those to die for strawberries. I hope you enjoyed yourself, Inge.’’
- Mr Ashby and Mr Slipper's political problems within the LNP, in particular the threat of rival Mal Brough defeating the-then LNP member in a preselection battle for Mr Slipper's seat of Fisher.
In October, Mr Ashby suggested Mr Slipper aim for the Speakership, however, in the documents it is revealed Mr Ashby did not correctly understand the requirements of the Speakership necessity as he believed Mr Slipper could give up his seat, avoid a bruising conflict with party favourite Brough and still remain in Parliament.
Mr Slipper appeared surprised at the suggestion, sending Mr Ashby a SMS that read: "Range of options open. But destroying Brough should happen anyway. Where did you get the idea I could become Speaker?"
Mr Ashby replied; "tactical thought that would allow u to remain in parliament without having to have a seat. Means that u don't have to battle shit fight with Mal... it would be a finger in the air to them, brough and anyone else who might want to c u go. Just a thought."
The Slipper saga took an extraordinary twist in May when The Age and Herald revealed that Mr Brough had met Mr Ashby allegedly to damage Mr Slipper and advance Mr Brough's political prospects.
Mr Brough allegedly received from Mr Ashby copies of Mr Slipper's diary extracts. As part of the process, he offered to help find another staffer, Karen Doane a job, even passing her résumé on to Clive Palmer. Mr Brough, who originally denied any contact with Mr Ashby when the Slipper case erupted in April, said this morning: "I have always told the truth and the complete truth."
He eventually admitted to three meetings with Mr Ashby as the case of alleged sexual harassment and Cabcharge rorting was being formulated.
The texts also reveal that Mr Slipper was supportive of Mr Ashby's sexual orientation, sending him a message that said "You motivated me to see some ladies who have gay kids seeking a change in [gay marriage laws]."
In an another text exchange, Mr Slipper told the openly gay Ashby: "What I like bout you is your absolute honesty and openness. By comparison we politicians live in a closed secret world."
Mr Ashby formally accepted a $50,000 compensation payment by the Commonwealth in a related but separate lawsuit.
The hearings continue next week.
Huh?Mr Ashby formally accepted a $50,000 compensation payment by the Commonwealth in a related but separate lawsuit.
http://www.news.com.au/national/peter-s ... 6487675360" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;THE settlement of the case between political staffer James Ashby and the Commonwealth is official, with orders made by the court shortly before 4pm today.
Rubbish.It was payment from the Government for harassment due to failure re duty of care.
that's right, as I pointed out the article said...Those proceedings were neither unrelated nor separate.
One more time for uberdummy...Mr Ashby formally accepted a $50,000 compensation payment by the Commonwealth in a related but separate lawsuit.
let me know when you get it so I can stop reposting it...in a related but separate lawsuit.
in a related but separate lawsuit.
but...Rubbish.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/nation ... 6483345719" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;JAMES Ashby has settled his damages suit with the Federal Government on the eve of the first significant hearing of allegations they breached their duty of care.
Just a week before the case was due for a showdown in the Federal Court, it is understood Ashby, a former staffer to Peter Slipper, has settled with the Government for $50,000.
He is still pressing ahead with his sexual harassment claims against the Parliamentary Speaker.
Only last month, Mr Slipper paved the way for a significant backdown in his case against Mr Ashby.
Herald Sun-02/10/2012
JAMES Ashby settles suit with the government on the eve of the first significant hearing of allegations they breached their duty of care.
The Australian-03/10/2012
THE settlement of the case between political staffer James Ashby and the ... since Friday, ensures Mr Ashby is paid $50,000 by the Commonwealth. ... of the first significant hearing of allegations they breached their duty of care.
NEWS.com.au-27/09/2012
JAMES Ashby has settled his damages suit with the Federal ... the eve of the first significant hearing of allegations it breached its duty of care.
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