MP Frank Pangallo calls on police union deputy president Wade Burns to identify which aspects of bombshell parli assault allegations are ‘factually incorrect’

A senior cop running for head of a powerful union has been challenged to explain which aspects of bombshell indecent assault claims aired in parliament are “factually incorrect”.

• Explained: Why everyone is talking about Wade Burns

Police union presidency candidate Wade Burns has been urged to support the release of an internal police investigation and its findings after he told members that bombshell assault allegations aired against him in parliament were “factually incorrect”.

Mr Burns, currently the union’s deputy president, is also facing calls to apologise to MP Frank Pangallo for suggesting Mr Pangallo used parliamentary privilege on behalf of others with an agenda regarding the underway by-election.

Mr Pangallo on Tuesday told parliament Mr Burns, the son of former police commissioner Gary Burns, was demoted from chief inspector to senior sergeant in 2017 after it was claimed he indecently assaulted a then-civilian female SA Police employee at a social function.

He said Mr Burns pleaded guilty to a list of agreed facts during an internal workplace investigation but was never criminally charged, and was later reinstated to the rank of inspector despite the objections of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.

In a message circulated to union members on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Burns declared his campaign would continue and that “what was said – under parliamentary privilege – was factually incorrect”.

Police union presidency candidate Wade Burns. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“It is … very clear that parliamentary privilege was used on behalf of others with a political agenda regarding the election outcome,” he said.

He acknowledged he had challenged SA Police in the Police Review Tribunal – “and won”.

Mr Burns is one of four candidates contesting a by-election to decide who will replace outgoing Police Association of South Australia (PASA) president Mark Carroll.

On Thursday, Mr Pangallo said Mr Burns owed it to union members to ensure they had all relevant information before the close of voting on July 5.

“Mr Burns has based his election campaign around transparency and openness,” he said.

“If Mr Burns is so confident the recount of events that led to his demotion are factually incorrect, then he should have no problem seeking the Commissioner of Police authorise publication of the investigation and findings of the Tribunal (and review).

“He can also explain, publicly, what I said that he claims was ‘factually incorrect’.”

Mr Pangallo also called on Mr Burns to apologise and withdraw the “outrageous and defamatory accusation” that he had used parliamentary privilege on behalf of others to affect the election outcome.

Independent MP Frank Pangallo. Picture NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

“I have known about the matter since before entering parliament and have not met with or communicated with any of the current candidates for the presidency,” he said.

The Advertiser on Thursday asked Mr Burns a series of questions, including which part of Mr Pangallo’s statements were “factually incorrect” and whether he would ask Mr Stevens to authorise publication of the investigation and findings.

But no response was received before deadline.

The allegations against Mr Burns had not previously been able to be made public due to the secrecy provisions under the state’s Police Complaints and Discipline Act.

A series of questions raised in parliament by Mr Pangallo, which seek an explanation for why Mr Burns was not criminally charged or sacked for his “egregious conduct”, have been taken on notice.

Mr Stevens said a detailed briefing on the matter would be provided to Police Minister Dan Cregan to allow him to respond to the questions.

Originally published as MP Frank Pangallo calls on police union deputy president Wade Burns to identify which aspects of bombshell parli assault allegations are ‘factually incorrect’