‘Not lewd’: Nine apologises, settles lawsuit with MP Andrew Laming over ‘upskirt’ story

Nine News journalists behind a problematic 2021 news segment that led to a significant payout to former Queensland MP Andrew Laming should be able to keep their prestigious awards, according to their employer.

Nine News journalists behind a problematic 2021 news segment that led to a significant payout to former MP Andrew Laming should be able to keep their prestigious awards, according to their employer.

Dr Laming sued Nine claiming the network broadcast a report that falsely alleged the MP took an indecent photograph of a woman that showed her underwear and buttocks under her skirt as she bent down to stack a fridge with drinks.

The MP enlisted the same defamation legal team as Christian Porter, barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC and lawyer Rebekah Giles, as he launched defamation action in the Federal Court.

His legal team claimed Nine’s allegation was false and the network falsely portrayed him as “lecherous” and “a pervert”.

Former Queensland MP Andrew Laming at his home in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Ms Chrysanthou, on Wednesday, said the case had settled “on confidential terms” and read an apology from Nine in the Federal Court.

“Nine News has now seen material which indicates that the photograph Dr Laming took was not lewd in nature,” Nine’s apology reads.

“Nine News unreservedly withdraws those allegations about Dr Laming and apologises to him and his family for the hurt and harm caused by the report.”

Nine News Queensland journalists Peter Fegan and Rebeka Powell won a prestigious Walkley Award and were crowned Queensland Journalists of the Year at the 2021 Clarion Awards for their report on Dr Laming.

A Nine spokesman said the “reasons for the award being presented stands” and it was a matter for the Walkley committee.

The Walkley Foundation, which also runs the state-based Clarions, noted Nine’s apology to Dr Laming and said it was “considering the matter”.

Dr Laming’s Sydney lawyers, Rebekah Giles and Sue Chrysanthou SC at the Federal Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

Dr Laming, in a statement released by his lawyers, said he was pleased Nine had apologised because there had been no interest in hearing the facts at the time.

“A citizen is entitled to come before the courts and have their complaint heard in a fair and impartial forum with all the evidence presented,” he said.

“I was denied that due process and a fair hearing in the media, but it has come today.”

He praised his legal team, family, supporters and Australia’s defamation laws and hit out at what he called “the stream of bizarre allegations” from his political critics last year.

High profile ABC journalist Louise Milligan was also hit with a lawsuit which ultimately cost the public broadcaster about $200,000.

Originally published as ‘Not lewd’: Nine apologises, settles lawsuit with MP Andrew Laming over ‘upskirt’ story