Jean-Claude Perrottet slams Hills inquiry, refuses to take part

Dominic Perrottet’s brother Jean-Claude has finally been found by a parliamentary inquiry as it comes to a close— but he has now declined to take part as he is overseas.

The most wanted man in NSW politics has been found, with Premier Dominic Perrottet’s missing brother breaking his silence ahead of the final day of a parliamentary inquiry which has been scouring the state in an attempt to locate him.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Jean-Claude Perrottet has written to the committee examining the Hills Shire Council, lashing out at “false allegations” against him have “taken a serious toll” on his mental health and declaring that his fiance has been harassed.

In the letter, sent to the committee on Tuesday, Mr Perrottet said he is overseas and had not been served with a summons.

He said he would not be appearing because he would not have “procedural fairness”.

“Given its timing on the eve of an election and the nature of the allegations made, it is also clear that the inquiry is being conducted to further political ends.”

Jean Claude Perrottet has lashed out at a parliamentary inquiry into the Hills Shire Council Picture: Brendan Esposito

The parliamentary inquiry will hold its final hearing on Thursday ahead of parliament being dissolved.

Despite a statewide search by hired process servers, the committee has been unable to find a number of witnesses it was seeking, including Mr Perrottet, Liberal operative Christian Ellis, and Hills Shire councillor Virginia Ellis (Mr Ellis’ mother).

Premier Dominic Perrottet. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The inquiry is looking into claims made under parliamentary privilege by Castle Hill MP Ray Williams regarding the influence of developers on the council.

Jean-Claude Perrottet said calls for the public to report his whereabouts – made by committee member and Labor MP John Graham – have “exacerbated” the stress put on him and his family.

“The harassment of my fiancee and her family members by taxpayer funded investigators, and the distribution of images of them and their homes in the media, is deeply distressing and an issue that will be subject of separate correspondence,” he said in his letter.

“For the reasons set out above, I will not be taking part in the inquiry, other than to confirm to the Committee, by this correspondence, that the allegations made against me are completely false.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet on Wednesday said bringing members of his family into the inquiry was a “political stunt by the Labor Party”.

The committee previously abandoned attempts to call developer Jean Nassif as a witness after Mr Nassif said he could not appear because he was in “rural Lebanon”.