Police investigating alleged altercation between CLP Senator and her chief-of-staff
POLICE are investigating an alleged altercation between CLP Senator Sam McMahon and her taxpayer-funded chief-of-staff Jason Riley
Northern Territory
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POLICE are investigating an alleged altercation between CLP Senator Sam McMahon and her taxpayer-funded chief-of-staff Jason Riley.
Police confirmed the investigation after the NT News revealed WhatsApp messages – including a bloody picture – had been sent from the Senator’s phone to another staff member, alleging Mr Riley had attacked her.
The incident is alleged to have occurred at a house shared by Senator McMahon and Mr Riley – a former police officer and CLP director – in Darwin’s rural area on the night of April 3.
A police spokesman last night confirmed officers had been called to a Girraween property on the night in question and that investigations were continuing.
No charges have been laid.
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The incident is one of several being investigated by the Country Liberal Party after it received complaints of serious misconduct within Senator McMahon’s office.
The NT News can confirm the CLP is also investigating a separate altercation alleged to have occurred between the Senator and Mr Riley at her office in Jingili on April 2.
Senator McMahon and Mr Riley did not respond to questions about the latest allegation yesterday. They also declined to respond to questions about whether Mr Riley would continue working during the investigation.
On Monday, Senator McMahon denied any altercation had taken place.
A day later – in response to questions from the NT News the WhatsApp messages – she issued a statement through a spokesman declaring the issue a private matter.
“The Senator requests the media respect her privacy,” the spokesman said.
It’s understood the CLP is frustrated that, if the allegations are substantiated, it has no power to take action against Mr Riley, who can only be disciplined or sacked by Senator McMahon.
CLP president Ron Kelly declined to give details about the party’s investigation yesterday.
“Our actions are motivated by the welfare of the people involved,” he said.
Mr Kelly said he was unsure when the investigation would be complete.
The department of finance – which manages the employment of parliamentary staff – is conducting a separate investigation after one of the senator’s staff made a formal complaint last week.
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The NT News has sent questions to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his deputy Michael McCormack, asking if they believe Mr Riley should be stood down during the investigation.
They had not responded by deadline.
Originally published as Police investigating alleged altercation between CLP Senator and her chief-of-staff
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