Alex Greenwich accuses Mark Latham of ‘baseless, disgraceful’ accusations involving school visit

Alex Greenwich has argued fellow MP Mark Latham made ‘baseless’ comments accusing him of going to ‘groom children to become homosexual’, court documents say.

NSW Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has taken out defamation proceedings against fellow MP Mark Latham over remarks about his sexuality. Picture: Damian Shaw

Independent NSW MP Alex Greenwich has argued fellow MP Mark Latham made “baseless and disgraceful” comments accusing him of going to a school to “groom children to become homosexual”, court documents filed in his defamation case reveal.

In a reply lodged with the federal court, Mr Greenwich – independent NSW MP for Sydney – has alleged former One Nation MP Mr Latham’s comments about a school visit were based on “homophobic prejudices”.

“Greenwich goes into schools talking to kids about being gay”, Mr Latham told The Daily Telegraph, and he “didn’t want to be accused of anything similar”.

The quotes pertain to when Mr Greenwich had attended Sydney Boys High School to address students.

Mr Greenwich argued the remarks carried “the baseless and disgraceful imputation that (he) goes to schools to groom children to become homosexual”.

Mark Latham, in his own defence, has said his remarks were true and Mr Greenwich’s reputation was not damaged. Picture: John Appleyard

Mr Greenwich - who is openly gay - sued Mr Latham over a since-deleted graphic and vulgar tweet about his sexuality.

Mr Greenwich’s reply comes after Mr Latham’s defence in the defamation proceedings was filed with the federal court in June.

The former One Nation MLC has argued he was offering an “honest opinion” in his tweet and pointed to “statements of support for Greenwich” to allege the Sydney MP’s reputation was not seriously harmed.

Mr Greenwich, however, will argue Mr Latham’s alleged homophobic comments were driven by “malice” and opened him up to “public humiliation and ridicule”.

In his response, Mr Greenwich argued that the tweet, which Mr Latham said was as a result of the Sydney MP’s comments in media outlets about him, was “disproportionate”.

Alex Greenwich is seeking aggravated damages against Mr Latham. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“Mr Latham was actuated by malice in that he published the primary tweet predominantly for the improper purpose of exposing Mr Greenwich to public humiliation, ridicule, contempt and hatred by reason of Mr Greenwich’s sexuality,” the reply said.

Mr Greenwich’s reply argues Mr Latham’s own defence has “increased the hurt and harm”, which warrant an award of aggravated damages, after the former One Nation MP denied serious harm had been caused to Mr Greenwich.

Mr Latham had alleged his tweet, and subsequent quotes he provided to the Telegraph, actually “enhanced” Mr Greenwich’s reputation.

Mr Greenwich also says Mr Latham’s argument that his tweet was “substantially true” was based on “disgraceful prejudices about homosexual people and their presumed private sexual activities”.

Mr Latham, in his August 8 defence, argued his tweet was “substantially true”, and said his tweet was in response to comments made by the Sydney MP towards him, calling him a “disgusting human being”.

Mr Greenwich has separately lodged a complaint of homosexual vilification and sexual harassment against Latham and a police complaint.