Statement on behalf of James Ashby

17 May

In response to media questions relating to the release of the Commonwealth's Genuine Steps Statement. "We are not aware of any attempt by the Commonwealth to take any Genuine Steps at all, since we led our application on 20 April, to resolve this matter. A reason the Commonwealth and Mr. Slipper were not notied of the complained behavior prior to lodging the claim was that our client feared reprisal not only by Mr. Slipper but by the Federal Government as his ultimate employer. Taking the matter into the public domain, gave him the best form of protection against reprisal. A clear example of reprisal by the Commonwealth is evidenced by the recent attack on our client by the Foreign Minister, Bob Carr. We have today lodged a formal legal complaint about that victimisation with the AHRC.

Re the cab charge matter, we have already said that as there is now a formal criminal investigation, it is inappropriate to have that matter entangled with our civil claim. Such continued entanglement could also signicant delay the civil action until the completion of any potential criminal matters. We also understand that documents led in the Federal Court have been properly made available to the media, by the Fed Court Registry, as is its usual practice."

Spokesman for Mr. Ashby ENDS

Anthony McClellan AMC Media

0433 122 360 anthonymcc@gmail.com

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