- 31 Jan 2013 02:39
#14160888
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-31/c ... ed/4493722
Hmmm, perhaps Gillard's election call is starting to make more sense...
Police arrest MP Craig Thomson
By chief political correspondent Simon Cullen
Updated 9 minutes ago
Federal independent MP Craig Thomson has been arrested on the New South Wales Central Coast.
His lawyer, Chris McArdle, says he was contacted by Mr Thomson shortly after 1:00pm (AEDT) today.
"The police are there arresting him and charging him [with] all charges, such as obtained $300 for himself or something," Mr McArdle told ABC News Online.
"He has to go to the police station where he has to sign a form and then go home again."
Mr McArdle says Mr Thomson is due to appear in court next week and his client will plead not guilty.
"He isn't guilty, so it's a pretty good clue that he's going to plead not guilty."
Mr Thomson is already facing civil charges in the Federal Court relating to allegations dating back to his time as head of the Health Services Union.
He has been accused of spending members' money on prostitutes and lavish hospitality.
He denies the allegations.
Asked whether today's charges related to his client's alleged use of escorts, Mr McArdle replied: "Some people should get off and develop their own sex life."
"That allegation in the Fair Work matter is $7,000 - false as it is - out of a case that's $300,000.
"There's something very sad about the fourth estate in Australia that they are absolutely beside themselves with fascination about that particular false charge."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-31/c ... ed/4493722
Hmmm, perhaps Gillard's election call is starting to make more sense...