‘I’ve broken no law’: Latham denies domestic violence, parliamentary wrongdoing

Embattled MP Mark Latham has denied breaking any laws or breaching legislative standing orders while responding to allegations of domestic violence and using his parliamentary office to record a sex tape.

In a lengthy and at times bizarre address to media in south-west Sydney on Saturday, Latham said there had been no formal complaints lodged in parliament against him, and called former girlfriend Nathalie Matthews’ allegations of domestic violence “nonsense”.

Independent MP Mark Latham has denied breaking laws or breaching parliamentary rules. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

“I have broken no law. The police did not involve themselves in [Matthews’ apprehended violence order] matter,” he said.

“I have breached no standing orders of the Legislative Council, and the NSW parliament has stringent processes about inappropriate behaviour. And, in my six years there, I’ve never been notified of a complaint against me.”

Matthews, a Liberal Party member and former OnlyFans creator, is pursuing a private apprehended violence order accusing Latham of a “sustained pattern” of emotional, physical and financial abuse, and pressuring her into “degrading sexual acts”.

In submissions to the NSW Local Court, Matthews also claims Latham pressured her into depraved acts and drove his car at her, with his side mirror hitting her and “causing a bruise”.

Police have not laid any charges against Latham, who has strongly denied the claims.

“What we had for over two years was a sexed-up, consensual, open arrangement between adults,” Latham said.

“Ninety per cent of it was great fun … The other 10 per cent could be dark and disturbing, but I rationalised it.”

Latham is accused of using his office to film “sordid” sexual trysts with Matthews, this masthead revealed on Wednesday.

He refused to admit or deny the existence of a sex tape on Saturday, arguing it was not in the public interest and “only of interest to voyeurs”.

Latham addressed the media in Camden on Saturday.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Latham launched a personal attack against a journalist from The Australian who questioned the appropriateness of the alleged video.

“This salacious stuff based on some wowserism, prudish thing that’s now running in the media, I don’t think anyone gives two hoots about my sex life,” he said.

“I’m not making any comment about things that are private. Members of parliament run their own office.”

He also attacked Premier Chris Minns, arguing he had “no authority” within his party, as well as Labor’s upper house leader, Penny Sharpe, who will move to refer Latham to the privileges committee after he used parliamentary privilege to share private information from a psychologist’s report about rival MP Alex Greenwich when parliament resumes in August.

Latham said he hadn’t seen the report and had to “put two and two together” to figure out what was in it.

He also used Saturday’s address to deny claims that he faced bankruptcy after the Federal Court ordered him to pay Greenwich $140,000 plus costs over an offensive tweet, and criticise the reporting and editorial stance of this masthead, The Daily Telegraph and The Australian.

In a statement after Latham’s address, Matthews said she was aware of the comments he had made and said, as the matter is before the court, she would not make further remarks at this time.

“I request the privacy that I deserve, whilst I go through this stressful period,” she said.

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