Former UAP Senator Brian Burston to drop bid for AVO ending legal action against James Ashby

The dispute was played out in the corridors of Parliament House and included claims of assault, abuse and the smearing of blood on an office door. It is has now reached its conclusion.

James Ashby and Brian Burston were at the centre of a dispute that played out in the corridors of parliament. Picture: News Corp Australia

EXCLUSIVE: Deposed United Australia Party Senator Brian Burston will tomorrow formally drop his application for an apprehended violence order against Pauline Hanson’s chief of staff, James Ashby.

After months of legal wrangling over the case and numerous appearances in the Toronto Local Court on the NSW Central Coast, the application will be officially withdrawn.

The latest move brings to an end a string of unsubstantiated allegations made against Mr Ashby by Mr Burston who quit One Nation last year and joined Clive Palmer’s UAP after a long feud with Ms Hanson.

Mr Ashby has consistently opposed the AVO and denied any wrong doing. Despite Mr Burston dropping the application, he and Mr Ashby will pay their own costs.

Mr Ashby’s lawyer Danny Eid said the application was an abuse of the law.

“These applications are becoming a common occurrence particularly because of the extreme difficulty in obtaining costs against an unsuccessful party,” said Mr Eid.

“It is about time there is a consequence to pathetic applications like Mr Burston’s.

“The Attorney-General should reintroduce the previous law on costs.”

James Ashby, right, with his lawyer Danny Eid. Picture: Natalie O'Brien

In May, Mr Ashby was also cleared of all assault allegations made against him by Mr Burston during an alleged scuffle at Parliament House in February. The altercation allegedly happened after they were seated together at a Minerals Council dinner.

Ashby cleared of Burston’s assault allegations

Bloody drama: Ashby banned from parliament

Mr Burston claimed Mr Ashby had assaulted him after they left the dinner and referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police. Mr Ashby also called for further investigations.

Mr Burston smeared blood from an allegedly injured hand on the door of Ms Hanson’s office and reportedly said “Ashby probably did it himself”. He later apologised and admitted he did it himself and blamed Mr Ashby.

Former Senator Brian Burston claimed he was assaulted by One Nation adviser James Ashby in Canberra. Pictures: Brian Burston

Former Senator Brian Burston arrives at Toronto Court. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Mr Ashby had his parliamentary pass revoked while the AFP investigation was underway.

After a three-month investigation, the AFP found there was insufficient evidence for any charges to be laid. The AFP also confirmed the investigation has been finalised.

Mr Eid said the allegations against Mr Ashby had been false. “The AFP conducted a thorough investigation and found there was insufficient evidence,” Mr Eid said. Mr Ashby’s parliamentary pass has now been returned to him.

Mr Burston was elected to the Senate as a member of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. But after a bitter split with Ms Hanson over issues which included claims of sexual harassment against his staff, and a counterclaim by Senator Burston that he had been harassed by Ms Hanson, he joined Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party.

Ms Hanson vehemently denied any sexual harassment saying she would not go near Senator Burston “with a barge pole”.

Mr Burston lost his seat at the federal election in May.

Originally published as Former UAP Senator Brian Burston to drop bid for AVO ending legal action against James Ashby