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Tony Abbott filmed leaving the prison where Cardinal George Pell is being held Tony Abbott filmed leaving the prison where Cardinal George Pell is being held
(about 3 hours later)
Former prime minister says he was ‘visiting a friend’ but refused to confirm exactly who he sawFormer prime minister says he was ‘visiting a friend’ but refused to confirm exactly who he saw
The former prime minister Tony Abbott has been filmed leaving the Melbourne prison where the convicted paedophile Cardinal George Pell is being held, with the former Coalition leader saying he was there “visiting a friend”.The former prime minister Tony Abbott has been filmed leaving the Melbourne prison where the convicted paedophile Cardinal George Pell is being held, with the former Coalition leader saying he was there “visiting a friend”.
Abbott was filmed leaving the Melbourne Assessment Prison on Monday morning by a Seven News crew, but refused to confirm exactly who in the jail he was visiting.Abbott was filmed leaving the Melbourne Assessment Prison on Monday morning by a Seven News crew, but refused to confirm exactly who in the jail he was visiting.
“Look, I was simply visiting a friend, that’s all,” said Abbott, who then ignored a question about “what sort of spirits” Pell was in, before stepping into a vehicle.“Look, I was simply visiting a friend, that’s all,” said Abbott, who then ignored a question about “what sort of spirits” Pell was in, before stepping into a vehicle.
Abbott said in February that he telephoned Pell, a friend and mentor, after it was first revealed Pell had been convicted of child abuse offences.Abbott said in February that he telephoned Pell, a friend and mentor, after it was first revealed Pell had been convicted of child abuse offences.
The former senator Derryn Hinch said on Twitter that Abbott’s visit to the prison on Monday was a “disgrace and a cruel insult to his victims”.The former senator Derryn Hinch said on Twitter that Abbott’s visit to the prison on Monday was a “disgrace and a cruel insult to his victims”.
In March, Pell was sentenced to six years in jail after being convicted of sexually abusing two 13-year-old choirboys in 1996.In March, Pell was sentenced to six years in jail after being convicted of sexually abusing two 13-year-old choirboys in 1996.
The former Liberal prime minister John Howard wrote a character reference for Pell after he was convicted for child sex abuse. The former Liberal prime minister John Howard wrote a character reference for Pell after he was convicted for child sexual abuse.
Australia’s highest court has agreed to refer Pell’s case to the full bench of the high court to hear appeal arguments. That hearing won’t be held until at least March next year. Australia’s highest court has agreed to refer Pell’s case to the full bench of the high court to hear appeal arguments. That hearing won’t be held until at least March 2020.
Attempts to reach Abbott on Monday night for further comment were unsuccessful.Attempts to reach Abbott on Monday night for further comment were unsuccessful.
with Australian Associated Presswith Australian Associated Press