’$5000 and apologise’: LNP’s Ros Bates demands compo from Shannon Fentiman in bitter ‘cross your legs’ political row

Premier Steven Miles has sensationally told Opposition leader David Crisafulli to pull Ros Bates “into line” as the LNP frontbencher demands $5000 from Shannon Fentiman over a viral video.

• Crisafulli responds to Premier in ongoing saga

Premier Steven Miles has sensationally labelled LNP frontbencher Ros Bates “one of the nastiest people in the Queensland parliament,” as she demands $5000 from Health Minister Shannon Fentiman over a viral video.

The Premier on Friday strongly defended the actions of Ms Fentiman, who earlier this week posted a video snippet of parliament to her social media accounts wrongly depicting Ms Bates yelling “close your legs” across the chamber in a fiery debate over Queensland’s maternity services.

Hansard records showed that Ms Bates had in fact said “cross your legs,” which she claims referred to mothers being told to pause labour until they can reach an open maternity ward.

Ms Fentiman has since taken the video down.

Mr Miles unleashed on Ms Bates during a press conference on Friday morning, saying she consistently said awful things in parliament and “it’s about time she was held to account for them”.

Ros Bates is demanding $5000 and an apology from Shannon Fentiman.

“Ros Bates is one of the nastiest people in the Queensland parliament,” he said.

“Ros Bates consistently says awful things. She says terrible things all the time.

“And I think now that Queenslanders are starting to see that, it’s about time she changed her behaviour.”

The Premier went further, calling Ms Bates “immature, mean, nasty, and insulting,” before widening his attack to all opposition members, accusing them of misogyny.

“You will constantly hear a barrage of insults from the other side of the chamber, particularly targeted at women,” he said.

“If you compare the way they act when I am speaking to the way they act when women are speaking, you will see that they directly attempt to undermine, distract and interfere with what they are saying.”

“Ultimately that’s what Ros Bates was trying to do with that interjection and the person who should pull her into line as her leader, refuses to do so.

“Certainly some of their behaviour is misogynistic.”

Addressing parliament on Thursday, Mr Bates revealed she had been a victim of extensive cyber-bullying and threats following the viral video.

While the Premier acknowledged that no one deserved to be attacked online, he said it was simply “a very unfortunate part” of being a politician.

Premier Steven Miles has taken aim at Ros Bates.

“Unfortunately, politicians receive messages like that every day,” he said.

“You could go to my Facebook page, or you could open my inbox and today there would be hundreds of messages like that, including death threats.

“It’s a very unfortunate part of this job.”

The Opposition confirmed a concerns notice was issued to Ms Fentiman on Friday.

It’s understood a legal representative for Ms Bates has sought an apology and $5000 in compensation from Ms Fentiman.

Ms Bates was contacted but did not wish to provide further comment. Ms Fentiman removed the video post on Friday afternoon.

“The Speaker (Curtis Pitt) wrote to the Health Minister and advised while he is reviewing the matter, would the Minister consider removing a Facebook post,” a statement from the Health Minister’s office said.

“As the Health Minister respects parliamentary proceedings, all posts have been removed.”