The latest defamation notice sheds new light on the events leading up to Moira Deeming's expulsion from the Liberal Party.
The notice alleges Mr Pesutto made “false and seriously defamatory” accusations about Ms Deeming, for which the upper house MP is entitled to seek “substantial” and “aggregated damages”.
Amongst the new revelations is the claim that a staff member from Deputy Liberal leader David Southwick’s office “sat outside Ms Deeming’s office” in the lead-up to the first expulsion vote, which she “and others” interpreted this as “a transparent attempt to intimidate her” and “record and intimidate any members who went to visit her.”
“Ms Deeming is also entitled to aggravated damages based on Mr Pesutto’s conduct… which was lacking in good faith, improper and/or unjustifiable, and significantly increased the harm Ms Deeming has suffered.” Despite this, the new notice of concern delivered to Mr Pesutto details how Ms Deeming was “summoned to a meeting” with the Liberal Party’s leadership team on the March 19 during which “members of the Leadership Team interrogated Ms Deeming about whether she knew any Nazis.”
Deputy upper house leader Matt Bach is alleged to have accused Moira Deeming of"drinking champagne with Nazi bigots". Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw
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