Lawyer and Friend of Cardinal George Pell Denies Bribery Allegations
3AW
A long-term friend of Cardinal George Pell has defended him over claims he allegedly tried to bribe a victim of sexual abuse. Lawyer and professor Greg Craven told Neil Mitchell Cardinal Pell has a long history of "co-operation and compliance", as the royal commission into child sex abuse claims in the Catholic church enters its third day. I believe he needs to agree to be examined by the commission Neil In a explosive day at the royal commission, victim David Ridsdale alleged Cardinal Pell tried to bribe him to keep quiet about the abuse by his uncle, convicted sex offender Gerald Ridsdale. But Professor Craven, from the Catholic church's Truth, Justice Healing Council said Cardinal Pell has already addressed and denied the allegations. "His statement has been reasonably clear," he said. "He clearly does not recollect at all some conversations, that's not surprising in terms of time. "He clearly has a completely different recollection of other conversations and that is entirely a position he is entitled to take." READ MORE: Neil Mitchell urges Cardinal Pell to 'come back and answer questions' READ MORE: The Age posts 'Die Pell' Facebook status But Neil Mitchell pressed Prof Craven on Cardinal Pell's statement, and whether it was a denial of the bribery allegations. "For the record, I have no doubt these allegations are not the case," Professor Craven said. "Not in the sense that someone is telling a lie, but recollections can differ. "This is not new, Cardinal Pell has said this hasn't happened." Cardinal Pell has to answer the bribery allegations in front of the commission, Neil Mitchell says. "In my view he needs to appear before the commission, even if it is via video-link from Rome. "He says he will co-operate, I believe he needs to go further and agree to be examined by the commission."
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