Journalist told Slipper staffer 'we will get him'

[Matilda]

Lawyers for Peter Slipper have filed court documents alleging a News Limited journalist sent a text message to one of the Speaker's staff, saying: "We will get him!!"

Steve Lewis allegedly sent the message to James Ashby less than a fortnight before Mr Ashby filed a sexual harassment claim against the Speaker.

The allegations were then published in several News Limited newspapers under Lewis's byline.

It is one of a number of text messages that Mr Slipper is relying upon in his defence of the harassment allegations.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-26/journalist-text-to-slipper-staffer/4093570

Will this turn out to be Tony Abbott's Godwin Grech moment? While I'm sure Slipper is not a saint (he is widely disliked by so many who know him), neither does Ashby look to be the blushing violet he claims to be. Far from looking like a nervous man who needs counselling for the shock and trauma to his delicate psyche caused by Slipper, he's never appeared as anything other than confident, not to say brash. And when News is involved, it's hard not to believe that there's not a lot of dirt under the carpet. Nothing would be too grubby for them if they thought it would bring down the Gillard government.

And I have to say, while he may be a bit of a tosser, Slipper is a very good Speaker, and I miss his control of the parliament. Anna Bligh is doing her best, but they're starting to run riot in the House, just as they did with Harry.

[Esra Star]

1. Sorry, how did Anna Bligh get into this story?

[Matilda]

2. Burke. My bad.

n/t

[pink]

3. Slipper was a very good speaker

I wonder when after the ****has hit the fan and it has been found that Pyne and Abbott are involved up to their beady little eyeballs, will he be so balanced with his rulings towards the coalition. I, for one, certainly hope not. I read in Wednesday's SMH that James Ashby is paying Harmers law firm $1. The same firm that Kathy Jackson is getting pro bono. Why isnt that issue alone ringing bells in the media?

I think that Abbott and that racist Morrison have shown that they would prefer to see asylum seekers drown than give an inch to Labor. Watching Morrison the racist being interviewed on 7.30 the other night, he indicated that even if Labor had adopted all the coalitions policies, they would not necessarily pass them in the house. Thats what Labor is up against.

What a shame we are up against a generally biased media. Surely blind freddie should be able to see through Abbott's lies and inuendos. Strange how Abbott never appears on the ABC but you often see film clips of him appearing on the commercial morning shows. They must make him feel very comfortable.

Things have got so ugly out there that on facebook the other day, a posting by an exfriend had a picture of a condom and a picture of Julia Gillard with a caption that read "One of these could have prevented this". How sick has society become.

[Matilda]

4. And the judge has thrown it out!

He has ruled that Ashby, Brough, and Lewis plotted the whole thing with the express purpose of ending Slipper's career and bringing down the government. Which anybody with half a brain could figure out. And what about those who were probably behind it - Pyne and Abbott? And as for the idiot George Brandis, pontificating on legal matters that he never appears to fully comprehend - how the hell did he ever get through law school?

What will the MSM do now? Bring the Opposition to account? I won't be holding my breath. I don't think much of Slipper as a person, but he was the best Speaker I've ever seen, and Anna Burke, while probably much nicer, isn't in the same league. That's a shame.

[peakhillfm]

5. Thank God some one has their head screwed on

Its about time Brandis,Abbott,and the rest of their henchmen discovered that they are just that henchmen.
I was glad to see that the LNCP were made look a bunch of 'bloody fools'
I also am glad to see that the judge stated that James Ashby was in it to make advancement for himself,which really made the LNCP look a bunch of 'stooges'
As far as News Limited is concerned,all their reporters and also along with Daily Telegraph,and all the rest that are owned or run by Murdock or Packer are all Liberal run and 90% of them are just as bad as each other.
There are so many Liberal people in these papers that its as plain as the nose on your face.
By the way just for interest sake,it is a known fact that if one applies for a position with the Daily Telegraph,that one of the questions that are asked of you,is as to which political party you follow.Answer the wrong way and its 'we will call you',so take it the way you will.
So much for all these 'Liberal Faceless men'(who have now been identified) The liberal HENCH MEN..............

[Matilda]

6. Slipper has filed for full costs from Ashby and Harmers.

It's on an indemnity basis, which means he's going for the full costs, whereas normally courts award up to 70% only.

If it's true that Ashby was paying only a nominal fee to Harmers, I can't see that being extended to paying his costs. Will Lib backers bail him out? Or will they leave him to swing?

Delicious.

And yet, very little being said by MSM. Murdoch press virtually ignoring the whole thing, and even the ABC is very low-key about it.

And Abbott staunchly defending Brough, because "he's my friend". Slipper was his friend, too, once upon a time.