AUSTRALIA
Asia One
AFP
Monday, Apr 23, 2012
SYDNEY – Prime Minister Julia Gillard Monday defended her appointment of Peter Slipper as Australia’s speaker as court documents alleged he used his position to pursue sexual relations with male employees.
The married Slipper, 62, stood aside from his role on Sunday after claims he harassed former aide James Ashby, 33, with explicit text messages, unwanted advances and inappropriate comments between January and March this year.
He is also accused of fraudulently misusing taxpayer-funded taxi services.
In Federal Court documents published Monday, Ashby accused Slipper, an ordained Anglican priest, of “using his position to pursue relationships of a sexual nature with young male employees”.
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