Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Australian Federal Police should investigate sexual harassment allegations against House of Representatives Speaker Peter Slipper.
A political row has erupted over the future of Mr Slipper, who is returning to Australia from Los Angeles denying the allegations made by former staffer James Ashby.
Mr Ashby, 33, launched legal action in the Federal Court on Friday claiming he was continually harassed by Mr Slipper since he began working for him in December last year.
The Sunshine Coast MP is also accused of misusing taxpayer-funded Cabcharges.
Mr Abbott says the allegations are "extremely serious".
"It is very important that the Prime Minister act swiftly to require the Speaker to step aside," he said.
"And it is very important that the Australian Federal Police quickly investigate these matters so that they can be resolved as soon as humanly possible."
The AFP says it is assessing the information.
AUDIO: Staffer accuses Slipper of sexual harrasment(AM)
Mr Slipper is returning home from an overseas trip and is expected to touch down in Australia on Sunday.
He was confronted by journalists when he landed at a Los Angeles airport on Saturday afternoon.
He remained silent for the most part when questioned by journalists saying simply: "All allegations are denied."
He had earlier taken to his Twitter account to deny the claims.
The allegations are a new headache for Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Government, which is relying on the independent Speaker's support to retain its parliamentary majority.
Mr Slipper was appointed to the Speaker's role after he resigned from the Liberals as part of a deal with Labor.
Federal Government Frontbencher Anthony Albanese says he has no knowledge of the allegations and rejects suggestions for Mr Slipper to be stood down.
"Those issues are a matter for Mr Slipper, there are legal proceedings underway... that's what the newspaper reports indicate this morning," he said.
"On that basis it's important that we recognise the separation between the judicial arm and political arms of the state."
In the claims detailed in News Limited's Saturday papers, Mr Ashby alleges the Speaker only hired him to pursue a sexual relationship.
He says in his first weeks on the job, Mr Slipper requested massages, asked him for graphic details about his sex life and sent him suggestive text messages.
In one of the alleged exchanges quoted by News Limited, Mr Slipper is said to have asked Mr Ashby if he wanted to become "closer", immediately after allegedly sending a sexually suggestive text message.
Mr Ashby also alleges his employer sent him texts signed with an "x" or an "xxx".
He said in his legal statement that Mr Slipper asked him to shower with the door open, which he refused to do, but he says Mr Slipper never closed the door for his showers.
Mr Ashby claims he always rejected the advances of the 62-year-old, who is married with two children.
The case is due to come before the Federal Court May 21.
Mr Slipper is returning home from an overseas trip and is expected to touch down in Australia on Sunday.
He was confronted by journalists when he landed at a Los Angeles airport on Saturday afternoon.
He remained silent for the most part when questioned by journalists saying simply: "All allegations are denied."
He had earlier taken to his Twitter account to deny the claims.
The allegations are a new headache for Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Government, which is relying on the independent Speaker's support to retain its parliamentary majority.
Mr Slipper was appointed to the Speaker's role after he resigned from the Liberals as part of a deal with Labor.
Federal Government Frontbencher Anthony Albanese says he has no knowledge of the allegations and rejects suggestions for Mr Slipper to be stood down.
"Those issues are a matter for Mr Slipper, there are legal proceedings underway... that's what the newspaper reports indicate this morning," he said.
"On that basis it's important that we recognise the separation between the judicial arm and political arms of the state."
In the claims detailed in News Limited's Saturday papers, Mr Ashby alleges the Speaker only hired him to pursue a sexual relationship.
He says in his first weeks on the job, Mr Slipper requested massages, asked him for graphic details about his sex life and sent him suggestive text messages.
In one of the alleged exchanges quoted by News Limited, Mr Slipper is said to have asked Mr Ashby if he wanted to become "closer", immediately after allegedly sending a sexually suggestive text message.
Mr Ashby also alleges his employer sent him texts signed with an "x" or an "xxx".
He said in his legal statement that Mr Slipper asked him to shower with the door open, which he refused to do, but he says Mr Slipper never closed the door for his showers.
Mr Ashby claims he always rejected the advances of the 62-year-old, who is married with two children.
The case is due to come before the Federal Court May 21.
No comments:
Post a Comment