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Lawyer X royal commission public hearings to start

High ranking police officers are set to take the stand as public hearings into Victoria Police’s dealings with gangland barrister Nicola Gobbo kick off next week.

Lawyer X name revealed: Nicola Gobbo unveiled as Informer 3838

The royal commission into the Lawyer X scandal will hold public hearings next week with current and former senior police officers likely to take the stand.

Royal Commissioner Margaret McMurdo will preside over hearings next week which will focus on Victoria Police’s dealings with gangland barrister Nicola Gobbo between 1993 to 2000. Ms Gobbo was unveiled as Lawyer X this month after the Herald Sun won a four year legal battle to reveal her identity.

READ THE FULL LAWYER X SERIES

PART 1: THE SCORPION’S STING

Nicola Gobbo with Carl Williams, right, and Andrew `Benji’ Veniamin at the Crown Casino christening of Williams’ daughter, Dhakota.
Nicola Gobbo with Carl Williams, right, and Andrew `Benji’ Veniamin at the Crown Casino christening of Williams’ daughter, Dhakota.

The officer in charge of intelligence and cover support command, Assistant Commissioner Neil Patterson, is scheduled to be next Wednesday’s first witness.

The Royal Commission expects that a number of current and former members of Victoria Police will give evidence.

Nicola Gobbo was revealed as Lawyer X this year.
Nicola Gobbo was revealed as Lawyer X this year.
Margaret McMurdo will preside over hearings.
Margaret McMurdo will preside over hearings.

Former Victoria Police deputy commissioner Sir Ken Jones, who served at Victoria Police between July 2009 and May 2011, has signalled that he is ready to give evidence to the commission.

It is expected that former chief commissioner Simon Overland, who played a crucial role in recruiting Ms Gobbo to turn informer on her gangland clients, would be called to give evidence.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/lawyer-x-royal-commission-public-hearings-to-start/news-story/2801626cc2d61c9b920564964b676cd6