Husar to sue over her ‘slut shaming’

Emma Husar will launch legal action against BuzzFeed over articles that detailed bullying and sexual harassment claims.

Emma Husar defends her reputation in the House of Representatives yesterday. Picture: Gary Ramage

Emma Husar will launch legal ­action against BuzzFeed over ­articles that detailed a litany of bullying and sexual harassment allegations against the Labor MP.

Ms Husar, who holds the marginal western Sydney seat of Lindsay, told federal parliament yesterday she was “slut-shamed” by the BuzzFeed articles that ­reported an allegation she made lewd gestures with her legs near ALP frontbencher Jason Clare.

The articles, published in ­August, also detailed a series of bullying allegations from her former office staff members.

Ms Husar told parliament the articles were a “shameless misrepresentation” and claimed she was not contacted by BuzzFeed ­journalist Alice Workman before ­publication. “I’ve had to bite my tongue and not defend myself publicly while being misrepresented,” she told parliament.

Ms Husar told parliament she was “not a bully” and that she would “fight for her integrity” in the courts. “I am not Sharon Stone. I am not a thief. And I did not deliberately misuse my work expenses,” she said.

A BuzzFeed spokeswoman said it was considering its position after Ms Husar’s statement and would “respond in due course”.