Christian Porter rape accuser's former boyfriend makes formal statement to NSW police

The former boyfriend of a woman who accused Christian Porter of raping her when the pair were teenagers has made a formal statement to police.

Macquarie Group senior managing director James Hooke met detectives twice before making a formal statement to NSW Police on March 17 and 22.  

Mr Porter is accused of raping a 16-year-old member of his debating team during a trip to Sydney in 1988 – which he vehemently denies. 

Mr Hooke was a friend to both Mr Porter and the woman for 30 years and went public in March saying he had previously spoken to her about the allegations. 

The former boyfriend of a woman who accused Christian Porter of raping her when the pair were teenagers has made a formal statement to police (pictured, Christian Porter with estranged wife Jennifer in January 2020)

Mr Porter has been accused of raping a 16-year-old member of his debating team during a trip to Sydney in 1988 – which he vehemently denies

The NSW Police told a NSW Estimates hearing the formal statement will have no impact on the case, which investigators closed.

‘This statement provided by Mr Hooke does not change the position of the NSW police force. The investigation remains closed,’ it said.

‘On 23 June 2020, the victim clearly communicated to investigators that she no longer felt able to proceed with the report… Investigators will continue to respect this request.’ 

Mr Porter was never interviewed by police over the accusations because the alleged victim never gave a formal statement before taking her own life.

His accuser made an initial complaint in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and asked to give her statement over Skype – police denied her request.  

She later withdrew her accusation when the pandemic delayed the meeting with detectives and was found dead at her home 24 hours later.  

‘Yes. On April 1, 2020, the (alleged) victim requested that she commence her statement by way of Skype,’ a response from NSW Police reads.

‘Investigators consulted with the (alleged) victim on April 2, 2020 by way of teleconference. Options were presented to the (alleged) victim in relation to obtaining her statement. 

Christian Porter (pictured during a debate when he was a schoolboy) said the alleged rape ‘just didn’t happen’

‘A joint decision by all parties was made not to conduct the interview remotely. There were a number of reasons which led to this decision. The (alleged) victim was understanding and supportive of this decision.’    

On Thursday, police confirmed her withdrawing the complaint before making a formal statement meant Mr Porter was never questioned. 

NSW Police said in a statement that its ‘common practice’ that a formal allegation be made to be put to the accused ‘as per procedural fairness’.

‘On June 23, 2020 the (alleged) victim clearly communicated to investigators that she no longer felt able to proceed with the report,’ the statement reads.

‘The NSWPF did not have a signed statement from the (alleged) victim, hence no formal allegation to put to the person of interest.  

In keeping with the (alleged) victim’s wishes no further investigation took place and the person of interest was not interviewed.’ 

Mr Porter was accused of raping his 16-year-old female debating teammate in Sydney 1988, when he was 17

Detectives were scheduled to travel to Adelaide, where the alleged victim lived, to take her statement formally in March, 2020 but were unable to due to the start of the coronavirus pandemic.        

The dumped attorney-general was accused of raping his 16-year-old female debating teammate in Sydney 1988, when he was 17. 

The historic ‘March 4 Justice’ was a response to the allegations against Mr Porter, and allegations by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins who accused an ex colleague of raping her in their boss Defence Minister Linda Reynolds’ office in 2019.

Mr Porter’s former wife was among thousands of West Australians to march across Perth on Sunday in protest against gender discrimination and violence. 

‘(Women are) crying out that this is a moment that requires leadership, and it requires leadership from this Prime Minister. And we are not getting it, prime minister,’ Mr Albanese said. 

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