One Nation’s Mark Latham cleared of driving charges in court
Firebrand One Nation MLC Mark Latham has had a major win in court after being charged for using his phone while driving.
NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham has been cleared of allegations he broke NSW road rules after the state’s transport authority withdrew the charge.
The 62-year-old former opposition leader was allegedly detected using his mobile phone while driving near a phone detection camera.
Appearing outside of Downing Centre court on Tuesday, lawyer Danny Eid said Transport for NSW had withdrawn and dismissed the charge in court.
“They (TfNSW) have considered the guidelines available to them and other factors under the legislation and have come to the view that the charges should be withdrawn,” Mr Eid said.
Mr Latham was not required to appear before the court.
The court matter is the second in recent weeks for Mr Latham.
The One Nation state leader is also gearing up for a Federal Court battle after independent MP Alex Greenwich revealed he intended to file a defamation suit against Mr Latham over a homophobic tweet.
Mr Greenwich alleges he was defamed, portrayed as a danger to children, and subjected to repeated attacks because of his sexuality following a since-delete tweet by Mr Latham in March.
The popular Sydney MP has also lodged a police complaint against Mr Latham on the grounds of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend, as well as a complaint with Anti-Discrimination NSW.
Mr Greenwhich called Mr Latham an “influential person” and said the MLC’s behaviour “has manifested into a great deal of attacks and abuse” being directed at him since the tweet was posted.
“My office is inundated with abusive emails and, in some cases, threats that I’ve had to report to police as a result of Mr Latham’s ongoing commentary and sexualised attacks on me,” he said.
“It is important when people attack your character, when people seek to reduce you to a sex act, when people seek to incite others to abuse intimidate and humiliate you that you take action.”
Mr Eid confirmed on Tuesday that his client would be fighting any defamation suit.
“He is definitely going to defend the defamation,” he said.
“That is absolute try-on.”