Labor leader Rebecca White is standing by comments made about former Labor candidate for Clark Ben McGregor, despite threats of legal action.
Ben McGregor, who is also the Labor party Tasmanian president has engaged lawyers, following comments made by Labor leader Rebecca White in the media earlier this week.
A spokesperson for Mr McGregor confirmed that a letter had been sent to Ms White and Labor Party secretary Stuart Benson on Friday afternoon, referring further comments to Mr McGregor's lawyer.
Luke Forsyth, of Hall Payne Lawyers in Sydney, advised that a concern notice under the Defamation Act had been sent to Ms White, and copied to Mr Benson.
On Wednesday, Mr McGregor announced he was standing down as a Labor candidate after being urged to do so by Rebecca White, over a complaint made to the party regarding two text messages he sent seven years ago.
The details in those text messages has not been released publicly.
Mr McGregor said that the Labor party had a policy and process to be followed to deal with complaints against members, which had not been followed - saying Ms White had "failed in providing leadership here".
"There has been no investigation. Witnesses have not been interviewed. I have not been afforded the basic courtesy of providing my side of the story. I've had no recourse of action and no opportunity to defend myself. I've been accused internally," he said.
"This appears for all intents as a smear campaign to hurt me and my nomination and my opinion of this has been reinforced by the recent actions of our state leader."
On Saturday, Labor leader Rebecca White said she stood by her comments.
"I've made it very clear as leader that I think that people seeking public office should be required to uphold the highest standards, that's important," she said.
"I've made it very clear about the standards I expect any person seeking public office to meet, and I think all Tasmanians would expect that anybody seeking public office should meet those high standards.
"These are matters that are displaying through the media at the moment, and they will be dealt with appropriately."
Labor party secretary Stuart Benson was contacted for comment.
Ebony Abblitt
Ebony Abblitt is a features writer at the Examiner in Launceston, with an interest in pets, politics and people. | ebony.abblitt@examiner.com.au
Ebony Abblitt is a features writer at the Examiner in Launceston, with an interest in pets, politics and people. | ebony.abblitt@examiner.com.au
