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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/01/enough-is-enough-alex-greenwich-threatens-legal-action-over-mark-lathams-homophobic-tweet
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| Alex Greenwich gives Mark Latham deadline to apologise for homophobic tweet | Alex Greenwich gives Mark Latham deadline to apologise for homophobic tweet |
| (3 months later) | |
| Independent MP says unless the NSW One Nation leader apologises he will begin defamation proceedings | Independent MP says unless the NSW One Nation leader apologises he will begin defamation proceedings |
| Mark Latham has just over two weeks to publicly and unreservedly apologise for homophobic comments before facing a defamation action in which “maximum damages” will be sought by independent MP Alex Greenwich. | Mark Latham has just over two weeks to publicly and unreservedly apologise for homophobic comments before facing a defamation action in which “maximum damages” will be sought by independent MP Alex Greenwich. |
| The Sydney MP announced on Monday he would launch a three-pronged response to repeated homophobic slurs from Latham, the New South Wales One Nation leader, unless he committed to never making similar statements again. | The Sydney MP announced on Monday he would launch a three-pronged response to repeated homophobic slurs from Latham, the New South Wales One Nation leader, unless he committed to never making similar statements again. |
| Latham has refused to apologise for a graphic tweet he posted and deleted on 30 March that Greenwich described as “defamatory and homophobic”, which attracted widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. | Latham has refused to apologise for a graphic tweet he posted and deleted on 30 March that Greenwich described as “defamatory and homophobic”, which attracted widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. |
| Last week, Latham doubled down with a lengthy online radio interview in which he repeated his comments, further angering Greenwich. | Last week, Latham doubled down with a lengthy online radio interview in which he repeated his comments, further angering Greenwich. |
| “I am used to robust and at times aggressive attacks on me. What Mr Latham has done, has said, crossed a line,” Greenwich said on Monday outside the NSW parliament in which both men have just been re-elected to sit. | “I am used to robust and at times aggressive attacks on me. What Mr Latham has done, has said, crossed a line,” Greenwich said on Monday outside the NSW parliament in which both men have just been re-elected to sit. |
| “That’s why I’m taking this action … Crossing the line of defamation, of vilification, and the use of his platform, including Twitter, to humiliate and menace me. Enough is enough.” | “That’s why I’m taking this action … Crossing the line of defamation, of vilification, and the use of his platform, including Twitter, to humiliate and menace me. Enough is enough.” |
| The comments came after Greenwich called Latham “a disgusting human being” after LGBTQ+ protesters were attacked outside a candidates’ forum, that included Latham as a speaker, during the NSW election campaign. | The comments came after Greenwich called Latham “a disgusting human being” after LGBTQ+ protesters were attacked outside a candidates’ forum, that included Latham as a speaker, during the NSW election campaign. |
| When pressed for an apology, Latham tweeted “never apologise, never explain”. | When pressed for an apology, Latham tweeted “never apologise, never explain”. |
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| Greenwich said unless Latham publicly apologised, retracted his comments and promised not to make similar comments in the future, he will begin defamation proceedings. | Greenwich said unless Latham publicly apologised, retracted his comments and promised not to make similar comments in the future, he will begin defamation proceedings. |
| Greenwich’s lawyer, Nicholas Stewart, said the matter was “significant”. | Greenwich’s lawyer, Nicholas Stewart, said the matter was “significant”. |
| “It is actually really serious what Alex has experienced,” he said. | “It is actually really serious what Alex has experienced,” he said. |
| “We’ll be going to maximum damages in this matter.” | “We’ll be going to maximum damages in this matter.” |
| The independent MP has also lodged a complaint of homosexual vilification with the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW and made a police complaint against Latham for allegedly using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. These matters would not be impacted by an apology. | The independent MP has also lodged a complaint of homosexual vilification with the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW and made a police complaint against Latham for allegedly using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. These matters would not be impacted by an apology. |
| “I’ve been openly gay in public life for 15 years and in NSW parliament for over 10 years, and never have I experienced such a homophobic, sexualised attack that exposed me to contempt, ridicule and extreme abuse, based on my sexuality,” he said. | “I’ve been openly gay in public life for 15 years and in NSW parliament for over 10 years, and never have I experienced such a homophobic, sexualised attack that exposed me to contempt, ridicule and extreme abuse, based on my sexuality,” he said. |
| Greenwich says he is also taking action for young and old LGBTQ+ people who face regular abuse. | Greenwich says he is also taking action for young and old LGBTQ+ people who face regular abuse. |
| His legal team plans to approach Twitter about its provision of a platform that “freely allows extreme homophobia, transphobia, racism and religious bigotry”. | His legal team plans to approach Twitter about its provision of a platform that “freely allows extreme homophobia, transphobia, racism and religious bigotry”. |
| Asked about Latham repeating his comments on TNT online radio with Chris Smith, Greenwich said he was “concerned” about the appearance and the way the station was promoting the interview but his initial focus was on Latham. | Asked about Latham repeating his comments on TNT online radio with Chris Smith, Greenwich said he was “concerned” about the appearance and the way the station was promoting the interview but his initial focus was on Latham. |
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| The government has vowed not to work with Latham this term of parliament. | The government has vowed not to work with Latham this term of parliament. |
| “The comments that Mark Latham made were vile,” the transport minister, Jo Haylen, said on Monday. | “The comments that Mark Latham made were vile,” the transport minister, Jo Haylen, said on Monday. |
| “I don’t think he is fit for public office. Labor’s made very clear we won’t be dealing with Mark Latham in the NSW parliament.” | “I don’t think he is fit for public office. Labor’s made very clear we won’t be dealing with Mark Latham in the NSW parliament.” |
| The tweet caused a schism between Latham and federal One Nation leader Pauline Hanson who said the comments were “disgusting” and called on him to apologise. | The tweet caused a schism between Latham and federal One Nation leader Pauline Hanson who said the comments were “disgusting” and called on him to apologise. |
| She said he ignored her calls and texts. Hanson has refused to answer questions about the veracity of his claim. | She said he ignored her calls and texts. Hanson has refused to answer questions about the veracity of his claim. |
| Latham was re-elected for an eight-year term at the March poll but the legal action could impact his ability to serve if he is charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. | Latham was re-elected for an eight-year term at the March poll but the legal action could impact his ability to serve if he is charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. |
| If successfully convicted by police, Greenwich’s legal team believes Latham would be forced out of parliament under NSW law. | If successfully convicted by police, Greenwich’s legal team believes Latham would be forced out of parliament under NSW law. |
| Further parliamentary disciplinary measures will be considered once police determine next steps. Police confirmed on Monday they were investigating after Greenwich complained of being harassed online. | Further parliamentary disciplinary measures will be considered once police determine next steps. Police confirmed on Monday they were investigating after Greenwich complained of being harassed online. |
| “Officers attached to Surry Hills Area Command have commenced an investigation after receiving reports of online harassment directed at a 42-year-old man,” the spokesperson said. | “Officers attached to Surry Hills Area Command have commenced an investigation after receiving reports of online harassment directed at a 42-year-old man,” the spokesperson said. |
| Latham has until 17 May to respond to Greenwich. He has been contacted for comment. | Latham has until 17 May to respond to Greenwich. He has been contacted for comment. |