Peter Dutton leaps to an extraordinary defence of disgraced MP Andrew Laming


Peter Dutton leaps to an extraordinary defence of disgraced MP Andrew Laming after he was forced to quit for abusing two women online and taking creepy photos of one of them

  • Andrew Laming will leave parliament at the next election after shocking scandal
  • Forced to apologise to women he abuse on social media – one to near suicide
  • Another he photographed as she bent over, showing her underwear
  • But Mr Dutton leaped to his defence, touting ‘what he’s delivered for community’

Defence Minister Peter Dutton says Andrew Laming would be criticised no matter what he did as the Queensland MP prepares to return to federal parliament.

Dr Laming returns to Canberra next week following a month of medical leave he took after multiple women alleged he had harassed them.

Before the break, Prime Minister Scott Morrison forced the Brisbane MP to apologise to two women and had him undertake a short online empathy course.

The Liberal National Party MP will resign at the next election while cabinet ministers have stopped short of calling for him to go now.

Andrew Laming returns to Canberra next week following a month of medical leave he took after multiple women alleged he had harassed them

Andrew Laming returns to Canberra next week following a month of medical leave he took after multiple women alleged he had harassed them 

Dr Laming’s vote gives the coalition government a one-seat majority on the House of Representatives, but Mr Dutton says that’s irrelevant.

‘Well that’s just not a question, he is going to be in parliament, he has been elected to represent the people of Bowman for three years,’ Mr Dutton told reporters on Friday.

‘You’d be critical if he wasn’t going to attend parliament because that’s what he was elected to do, and he’s able to do that, and he’ll be there on Monday.’

The defence minister also questioned a protest planned against Dr Laming at Cleveland in the MP’s electorate of Bowman on Saturday.

Alix Russo said she considered suicide after Mr Laming harassed her on social media

Teacher Sheena Hewlett said she contacted police after Mr Laming hid in a bush and took photos of her

Mr Laming accused Alix Russo (left) of misappropriating funds at a homeless charity, while Sheena Hewlett (right) said she was forced to contact police after claiming Mr Laming hid in the bushes and took photos of her in a public park

Mr Dutton said the people involved had ‘affiliations’ and were not ‘community members’.

‘People who criticise him would be well served as they have a look at his record and look at what he’s been able to deliver for his local community,’ he said.

‘He’s made mistakes and importantly owned up to them.

‘If there is a politically-based rally against him then the organisers no doubt will be upfront about their affiliations and who they’re representing, as opposed to the local community.’

Dr Laming last week revealed he had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder while on medical leave.

Ms White said the MP took a photo of her underwear as she was restocking a fridge in 2019

Ms White said the MP took a photo of her underwear as she was restocking a fridge in 2019

The MP said his condition explained some of his behaviour towards women.

Two female constituents have accused him of abusing them online. One said the abuse left her suicidal.

The backbencher has also been accused of taking a photograph of a woman at her workplace without her consent as she bent over with her underwear visible.

Police investigated the matter but no action was taken. Dr Laming denied any inappropriate behaviour.

Last week, another three women made fresh allegations about the MP’s ‘creepy’ behaviour making them feel uncomfortable.

Dr Laming’s office said he ‘comprehensively rejected’ those allegations.

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