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James Ashby says he will drop case against former Speaker Peter Slipper James Ashby says he will drop case against former Speaker Peter Slipper
(about 3 hours later)
Former staffer James Ashby says he will drop his case against former parliamentary Speaker Peter Slipper. James Ashby is dropping his legal action against former federal parliamentary Speaker Peter Slipper.
"More than two years ago, I launched legal action in the federal court against Peter Slipper ... for sexual harassment and breach of contract," Ashby said in a statement emailed from his lawyer. The former staffer said he was aware of public reports that Slipper was mentally unwell and he did not want to continue with lengthy proceedings that could cause further harm.
"More than two years ago, I launched legal action in the federal court against Peter Slipper ... for sexual harassment and breach of contract," Ashby said in a statement emailed from his publicist.
"After deep reflection and consultation with those close to me, I now have decided to seek leave to discontinue my federal court action against Peter Slipper."After deep reflection and consultation with those close to me, I now have decided to seek leave to discontinue my federal court action against Peter Slipper.
"This has been an intense and emotionally draining time for me and my family, taking its toll on us all.""This has been an intense and emotionally draining time for me and my family, taking its toll on us all."
Justice Steven Rares threw out Ashby's case in a scathing decision handed down in 2012.
He found that the former staffer's main purpose in bringing the case was to pursue a political attack against Slipper.
But the full bench of the federal court reversed the dismissal in February and awarded Ashby costs.
That decision meant Ashby would have had his case heard.
His decision to drop the case, announced on Wednesday, was also made after considering costs, given that the Abbott government had confirmed that the commonwealth continued to cover Slipper's legal fees.
Ashby said this kind of "deep-pocket litigation" was fundamentally unfair for an ordinary person seeking justice.
Harmers Workplace Lawyers were representing Ashby pro bono.
They were prepared to keep doing so, but Ashby said he didn't want his case to continue "in such unfair circumstances" given the legal victory in the federal court.