CCTV captures moment Les Walker MP shoves man outside pub
Grainy CCTV footage captures the fleeting altercation that landed a Townsville MP in court after he shoved a political adversary.
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GRAINY CCTV footage captures the moment a Townsville MP shoves a political adversary.
The fleeting altercation outside the Australian Hotel on July 31 this year landed the former deputy mayor and first-term state MP in court charged with assault and in trouble with his boss.
Mundingburra MP Les Walker, 56 walked from court on Friday after clearing his name when a magistrate ruled the case was a “waste of time” before acquitting him.
The brief two minute CCTV clip, exclusively obtained by the Townsville Bulletin, was central to the case but has never been released to the public.
In the footage Mr Walker and his wife approach the entrance of the pub where a group of LNP members are gathered for an event.
Mr Walker approaches the door appearing to look directly at the group of LNP members, including Mr Lane.
The MP motions towards the group with his arm and at that moment Mr Lane turns around, sees Mr Walker and approaches him.
The footage shows Mr Lane follow the pair and use his mobile phone to take a selfie.
About five metres from the entrance, Mr Walker uses his left arm to shove Mr Lane who loses his footing.
A number of witnesses gave evidence at the dramatic court hearing where Mr Walker’s accuser Stephen Lane and one of the city’s top barristers Harvey Walters clashed in the witness box.
Mr Walters described the shove as minor and said someone “would’ve got more lining up to get drinks inside the hotel” before asking Mr Lane: “what part of ‘f-ck off’ don’t you understand?”
Mr Lane, a one-time political hopeful, told the court he was shaken after the “massive” hit when the MP shoulder charged him.
Giving evidence Mr Lane said Mr Walker had ‘yelled” and beckoned him outside to take a photograph together before telling him to “f-ck off”.
The MP’s lawyers did not dispute Mr Walker hurled expletives at Mr Lane but questioned him about why, even after he was told in no uncertain terms to leave the couple alone, he did not.
Other witnesses gave evidence they heard Mr Walker yell out to Mr Lane but the MP’s lawyers denied it.
Prosecutor Nathan Smith argued the hand motion, which is captured on the video, showed the MP instigated the interaction.
It was “common ground” Mr Walker assaulted Mr Lane but the MP’s lawyers successfully argued it was not unlawful as he acted in a “minimal way” to prevent Mr Lane’s “disorderly behaviour” as the former independent candidate chased him up the street.
Mr Walker’s lawyers said the hand motion was to communicate to his wife, who was deaf in her left ear.
Giving evidence Kaylene Walker said the pair often used hand motions to communicate in loud places because of this.
Speaking outside of court, Mr Walker said he “always” knew he was innocent.
Acting Magistrate Peter Smid ruled in Mr Walker’s favour acknowledging there was not a “lot of love lost” between the pair before describing Mr Lane as “evasive” and questioning his credibility.
Mr Smid said he thought the case was a “storm in a teacup”.
“I cannot believe that I’m sitting here all day listening to an event that happened between two robust men and how the criminal jurisdiction has been used to ventilate all of these issues,” Mr Smid said.
“I think the whole thing was a waste of time.”
Originally published as CCTV captures moment Les Walker MP shoves man outside pub
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