Ashby Gate: Abbott says no need for " witch-hunt"!

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says there is no need for an inquiry into the collapsed case against former speaker Peter Slipper where the judge found outrageous behavior by many who had more than a passing connection with the LNP. Abbott claims such an inquiry "would only end up as a "witch-hunt"" and he might know having conducted a few in the last year or so? One is tempted to ask if the concern arises only because of the like subject(s) of the inquiry.

Abbott was speaking for the first time since a Federal Court judge Rares ruled that the sexual harassment case, brought against Mr Slipper by staffer James Ashby, was an abuse of process designed to cause "significant public, reputational and political damage".

It was interesting to note that many LNP ministers and members previously present and opinionated on the matter were today absent or if available not answering the real questions. No brandishing legalities from Senator Brandi's, no needling from there redoubtable Pyne - just that kind of feeling that if they just shut up it will be gone after Christmas.

Given that Justice Rares has made clear he Machievalian nature of this conspiracy saying he believed the case "was designed to further the political interests of the Liberal National Party (LNP) and Mal Brough, who has been preselected as the Coalition's candidate in Mr Slipper's Sunshine Coast electorate of Fisher". ... there is need for an inquiry, a proper inquiry and one not run, created and decide by the LNP and it's friendly press.