Former adviser to Daniel Andrews, John-Paul Blandthorn, sacked from Hawker Britton, denies wrongdoing

A former adviser to Daniel Andrews, John-Paul Blandthorn, has been sacked as a director of a major Labor-linked lobby firm amid bullying claims — leaving old workmates “dumbfounded”.

A former adviser to Daniel Andrews has been suddenly sacked as a director of prominent Labor-linked lobby firm amid allegations of bullying.

John-Paul Blandthorn, who headed up the Victorian offices of Hawker Britton, was on Friday booted from the firm and scrubbed from the company website.

But the senior lobbyist, who is also a close friend and former adviser to Bill Shorten, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing flagging legal action of his sudden termination.

Sources claimed Mr Blandthorn was let go due to a history of bullying and that several women had left the firm under his watch as a result of his behaviour.

However, Mr Blandthorn told the Herald Sun he was totally unaware of any serious allegations against him and was surprised by his sacking

“No comment other than to say I completely deny the allegation and am seeking further advice,” he told the Herald Sun.

John-Paul Blandthorn. Picture: Supplied

A former employee of Barton Deakin and Hawker Britton, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said they were “dumbfounded” by Mr Blandthorn’s sacking.

“In all the years I have worked with John-Paul he was always of good character,” they said.

“I never heard of an allegation against him and there was never any allegations about his behaviour when he worked for the Andrews Government.”

Hawker Britton is considered one of the top lobbyist firms in Australia having represented major companies in development, construction and renewable energy, including Caydon Developments, Corandirk Developments, Intrapac, and the Dennis Family Corporation, John Holland on the West Gate Tunnel and Capella Capital.

Sources from the company claimed an investigation was launched late last year into serious complaints about bullying.

They were not of a sexual nature.

Blandthorn has been abruptly sacked. Picture: Facebook

Daniel Andrews on his last day as Victorian Premier. Picture: Josie Hayden

It’s understood an investigation was carried out and the probe in October last year identified broad culture issues within the organisation but made no findings against Mr Blandthorn individually.

The Herald Sun could not confirm whether the probe was linked to Mr Blandthorn’s termination.

People also told the Herald Sun they were uncomfortable with comments Mr Blandthorn had allegedly made about his connections.

This included boasting about how close he was to former Premier Daniel Andrews, who Mr Blandthorn had worked for between 2015 and 2017.

Others reported he regularly big noted himself about his friendship with Mr Shorten.

The source close to Mr Blandthorn, said he was the victim of a targeted campaign to oust him from the firm, which was being orchestrated by one person.

Mr Blandthorn is also the former senior adviser to former premier Daniel Andrews and the brother of Pascoe Vale MP Lizzie Blandthorn.

Hawker Britton has been contacted for comment.