Former House of Representatives speaker Peter Slipper has won his bid to have a sexual harassment case against him thrown out.
Federal Court Justice Steve Rares ruled that the case brought against Mr Slipper by one of his staff members was an “abuse of process”, declaring that its purpose was to politically damage the speaker.
Mr Slipper stood aside from his post in April after James Ashby accused him of harassment, including that he made unwanted sexual comments and encouraged him to shower with the door open while staying at Mr Slipper’s Canberra flat.
Speaking outside the court, Mr Ashby said he was “extremely disappointed” with the Federal Court’s decision and indicated he would lodge an appeal.
“This has been a very harrowing time for me and my family, my friends and supporters,” he told reporters.
“We first filed my sexual harassment complaint against Mr Slipper back on April 20 and that is almost eight months ago – eight months.
“Since that date no evidence at all has been heard of my substantive complaint against the former speaker that he sexually harassed me.
“There’s been a determined campaign to try and prevent the substantive allegations being heard and judged in open court and to put me to the maximum cost in pursuing justice.”
Read the full judgement: here
