Mark Latham’s ex denies insider trading, punching former Labor leader in extraordinary reply
Mark Latham’s former partner Nathalie Mathews has denied taking insider trading tips from tech billionaire Richard White and accused the one-time Labor leader of seriously damaging her “professional reputation”.
The former Liberal council candidate claimed Mr Latham, who also briefly led One Nation in NSW, made “false and defamatory” statements, including that he was paid $145,000 by Mr White and “punched me (Mr Latham) in the head in a zombie-like drunken and drugged attack” after he dispersed in a citizens’ response tabled in the NSW parliament last week.
Ms Matthews, who is fighting unrelated allegations of revenge porn, said Mr Latham mentioned her name 44 times during a debate in the NSW upper house on November 12.
“These remarks seriously damaged my professional reputation,” Ms Matthews said.
The 38-year-old man denied allegations of drunken assault, stating that he “never punched Mr. Latham and that I was not under the influence of any prescription drugs or illegal narcotics.”
Ms Matthews denied having any sexual intercourse with businessman Paul Byrne or paying for his flight to London.
In relation to Mr White, Ms Matthews denied receiving $145,000 from the WiseTech co-founder or providing him with any inside information, and said she had received no correspondence or legal notice from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission regarding the insider allegations.
He said the comments led to negative media coverage and affected his character.
The Privileges Committee agreed to publish Ms Matthew’s response, along with a dissenting opinion from independent MLC Rod Roberts; this opinion argued that it was “pointless and annoying and contains inaccuracies”.
Mr Latham has been mired in controversy since a violent arrest warrant was issued last year for allegedly defecating on Ms Matthews and engaging in domestic violence; He denied these allegations.
