Mark Latham says he is on leave after ‘vile’ tweet

One Nation’s Mark Latham has declared he is “on leave” following the fallout over a graphic homophobic social media post he made.

Controversial One Nation politician Mark Latham has declared he is “on leave” following the backlash over a homophobic social media post he made towards a Sydney MP.

Mr Latham, 62, took to Twitter on Sunday night, announcing: “Thanks everyone, I’m now on leave. Back when we finally get a LC result.”

The tweet referred to the ongoing ballot count for the Legislative Council in the NSW election held on March 25.

Chris Minns declared over the weekend his government won’t work with One Nation following the “vile” comments Mr Latham, who hit back by calling the new Premier “vacuous”.

Mr Minns said he would also seek an agreement with the next Liberal leader to prevent Mr Latham getting appointed as chair to any NSW Parliament committees, after the One Nation MP published a homophobic slur on social media directed at Sydney MP Alex Greenwich.

Thanks everyone, I’m now on leave.
Back when we finally get a LC result.

— Real Mark Latham (@RealMarkLatham) April 2, 2023

“We’re not going to support any claim by him to chair a committee in the Legislative Council. I’m not sure who’s going to lead the Liberal Party in the next few months, but I’d call on their organisation to make a similar commitment,” Mr Minns said Sunday.

“The commentary that he made in relation to the independent member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, were vile and obviously hugely disrespectful.”

Mr Minns also told Sky News he thought Mr Latham was “trying … to import a US-style, (Donald) Trump-style approach to politics in NSW, but without anywhere near the political success.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns has vowed Labor won’t work with the One Nation leader. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Monique Harmer

One Nation MP Mark Latham has been urged to apologise for the homophobic tweet, Picture: Julian Andrews

“We're not going to work with One Nation. (Mr Latham’s) commentary, his approach to politics in NSW (are) clearly somebody that’s approaching politics in a spiteful way.

“I don‘t think that it’s conducive to … good politics in this state, to have him elevated in his status as a member of the NSW Upper House.”

Independent MP Alex Greenwich said Mr Latham is “clearly unfit for office”. Picture: Jane Dempster

Mr Latham told The Telegraph he “wasn’t planning to run for any” committee chair positions.

“But if that’s what a new premier thinks about, he’s just showing people how vacuous he is,” Mr Latham said.

Mr Latham’s online comment prompted a rebuke from One Nation boss Pauline Hansen to demand he apologise.

On Saturday he issued a statement to The Telegraph saying: “Sometimes in public life when you throw out insults they come back at you harder and truer … So boo-hoo Alex Greenwich”.

Mr Greenwich later tweeted Mr Latham “is clearly unfit for office and I hope he gets the help he needs”.