Court finds Victorian Liberal leader defamed then party-room colleague when referring to rally gatecrashed by far right
The federal court has found that Victorian MP Moira Deeming was defamed by the Victoria’s Liberal leader John Pesutto.The federal court has found that Victorian MP Moira Deeming was defamed by the Victoria’s Liberal leader John Pesutto.A defiant John Pesutto says he won’t resign as Victoria’s opposition leader after a damning court judgment found he defamed ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming and will need to pay her $300,000 in damages.
He also accused Pesutto of “bandying around words” and not taking “care with his language”, causing serious harm to Deeming’s reputation. He said he was “very disappointed” about the court’s decision, though he respected the outcome and noted the judge made no adverse findings about his credibility.But Pesutto would not be drawn on how he would pay the $300,000 damages bill and possibly millions more in legal costs.Pesutto said he was seeking legal advice as to whether he should apologise to Deeming and if he should appeal against the judgment.“I’ve been on record previously saying I wouldn’t support that.
He was also critical of Pesutto and his deputy leader, David Southwick, for not disclosing the existence of a secret recording the Caulfield MP made of a meeting with Deeming on 19 March 2023. During the trial, Deeming’s barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, argued Pesutto’s push to expel the MP from the party had “nothing to do” with the rally but was because
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming wins high-profile defamation case against Opposition Leader John PesuttoMany in the parliamentary team accept John Pesutto’s loss could make his leadership untenable. Follow our live updates.
Read more »
John Pesutto chalks up a first-time victory over Jacinta Allan in latest Resolve pollThe opposition leader has won a psychological victory over the premier despite Liberal leadership rumblings and a high-profile court battle.
Read more »
Moira Deeming wins defamation case against John Pesutto over ‘neo-Nazi’ commentsCourt finds Victorian Liberal leader defamed then partyroom colleague when referring to rally that was gatecrashed by far-right
Read more »
How Moira Deeming and Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto's defamation clash unfoldedAfter an almost two-year battle, expelled Liberal MP Moira Deeming&x27;s defamation case against Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has ended with her winning.
Read more »
Moira Deeming v John Pesutto defamation case LIVE updates: Judgment set to be deliveredThe outcome will have ramifications for Opposition Leader John Pesutto’s future leading the Victorian Liberal party. Many in the parliamentary team accept a loss could make his leadership untenable.
Read more »
John Pesutto’s $50,000 legal settlement ‘kept secret’The Australian has revealed Victorian Liberal Leader John Pesutto paid $50,000 to cover the legal bills of two women who sued him for defamation after he suggested they were linked to neo-Nazis.
Read more »