Queensland Liberal MP Andrew Laming launches defamation action against Channel 9

Embattled Liberal MP Andrew Laming has launched defamation proceedings against Nine over a Channel 9 TV news report.

Liberal MP Andrew Laming. Picture: Getty Images

Embattled Liberal MP Andrew Laming has launched defamation proceedings against Nine after a TV news report he claims “injured his character and reputation”.

On Channel 9’s nightly news bulletins on March 27 the report was shown in every state and territory and included reporter Peter Fegan interviewing 29-year-old woman Crystal White about an alleged incident involving Dr Laming that took place in 2019.

In the story, which is still online, Fegan said: “Federal MP Andrew Laming took a picture of her (White’s) bottom while her underwear was exposed, on his mobile phone as she bent down and filled this fridge with drinks at a landscape supplies business in Brisbane.”

He then asked White: “Are you angry?”

White responded: “The photo was really inappropriate, especially when I was bent over.”

The MP lodged documents in the Federal Court on Friday. He is suing Nine for damages.

He has also ordered the TV news report and any republications be removed from the internet and social media channels.

“By reason of the publication by Nine Network and TCN 9 of the Nine News report, and the republications of it and the substantial grapevine effect, Laming has been gravely injured in his character and reputation, and has suffered substantial hurt, distress and embarrassment and has and will continue to suffer loss and damage,” the documents state.

“The respondents knew and intended that the allegations in the Nine news report would irrevocably damage Laming’s personal and professional reputation.”

It also states Nine’s “failure to put the allegations to Laming prior to publication and to publish his response”.

Dr Laming has previously denied taking the photo under a woman’s skirt and claimed it was a “completely dignified” picture of a woman in her workplace “kneeling in an awkward position, and filling a fridge with an impossible amount of stock, which clearly wasn’t going to fit in the fridge”.

Queensland Police later cleared him over the allegations.

Dr Laming also issued legal proceedings against ABC Four Corners’ investigative journalist Louise Milligan over a defamatory tweet which “irrevocably” harmed his reputation.

Milligan posted “Laming upskirts” in March after the allegations were publicly aired.

On August 11 it was revealed the ABC would pay $79,000 in damages to Dr Laming, about $50,000 in his legal costs and also Milligan’s legal expenses for engaging legal firm Bird and Bird.

Laming’s lawyers asked Milligan to delete the tweet and apologise – she deleted the tweet but refused to apologise.

A number of politicians and other journalists provided apologies to Dr Laming over potentially defamatory posts on social media, including Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, former Victorian senator Derryn Hinch, Labor senator Murray Watt, news.com.au journalist Eliza Barr and Crikey’s William Bowe.

“Nine has refused to apologise to Dr Laming despite multiple request over a protracted period of time,” Laming’s lawyer said in a statement.

Nine would not comment.