Lennon tirade against DPP

Sue Neales Mercury
FORMER premier Paul Lennon has launched an extraordinary attack on the Director of Public Prosecutions Tim Ellis. Mr Lennon criticised Mr Ellis in his appearance before a parliamentary committee this morning. Under parliamentary privilege, Mr Lennon questioned the conduct of Mr Ellis in relation to several recent high-profile police investigations and arrests. “I believe there are a number of things (the DPP) has been involved with of late that bring into question his conduct,” Mr Lennon said. “Who’s holding the DPP to account for his actions; who is going to investigate the investigator?” The former premier blamed the DPP for being too slow to investigate serious allegations made by former government adviser and whistleblower Nigel Burch, resulting in Mr Lennon’s own name being smeared. Read more here
ABC Online
Mr Lennon has appeared before a parliamentary committee and under parliamentary privilege has accused Mr Ellis of ignorance, leaking to the media, questionable conduct and possibly committing the criminal offence of disclosing official secrets. He told the committee that Mr Ellis had a $5 bet rather than immediately launching an investigation into serious allegations surrounding the appointment of the Solicitor-General, Leigh Sealy. “Now imagine then my anger when I find out last week, given that my name has been dragged into the public about this matter, but I find out last week that in January this year that instead of having the matter investigated, the Director of Prosecutions lays a $5 bet,” Mr Lennon said. “A $5 bet that Stephen Escourt will get the Solicitor General’s job.” He says the committee should investigate Mr Ellis. “I mean who investigates the investigator here? I mean who is going to hold the DPP to account.” Mr Ellis is not commenting on Mr Lennon’s claims. Read more here