Former Senator Nigel Scullion clashes with media outside Matt Wright’s court appearance

A former Northern Territory Senator has made a cameo appearance in the Matt Wright sideshow, clashing with a reporter outside the courthouse. Watch the strange encounter.

Every once in a while the eyes of the nation turn towards the usually sleepy Darwin courthouse as hotshot reporters fly in from down south to bear witness to the latest Territory celebrity fall from grace.

The circus was truly in town on Thursday morning when a gaggle of journalists from all corners of the country turned out to see Netflix star Matt Wright committed for trial on a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Two of Wright’s co-accused, Michael Burbidge and Neil Mellon, ended up pleading guilty to destroying evidence for their role in the affair and each faced the gauntlet of cameras and microphones as they completed their respective walks of shame.

Former Territory Senator Nigel Scullion clashes with A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall outside court. Picture: Elise Graham

Last to disappear into the tropical midday sun was Mellon, supported in court by colourful former long-serving NT Senator Nigel Scullion, who endured the slings and arrows alongside his good mate.

“You were meant to be upholding the law, why did you break it?” the Today Show’s Andrea Crothers asked Mellon.

But the day’s excitement reached its crescendo when Mr Scullion took exception to the line of questioning from Steve Marshall from A Current Affair.

Neil Mellon looks on as the nation’s media records the moment for posterity. Picture: Elise Graham

“Have you rolled on Matt Wright?” he probed the ex-cop. “Did you fight the law and the law won?”

Mr Scullion showed his displeasure at the inquiries by shoving the reporter against a car arriving to pick the pair up followed by a display of theatrics of his own to add to the general carnival atmosphere.

And with that, the members of the fourth estate finished their live crosses, packed up their camera gear, rolled away the big top and rode off into that famous Top End sunset after yet another successful addition to the pages of history’s first draft.

Originally published as Former Senator Nigel Scullion clashes with media outside Matt Wright’s court appearance