a litany of lies

Good afternoon. Well, it is not for me.

If it wasn’t so serious I would call it a sick April Fool’s Day joke.

As you would have seen on the news or read in the newspapers I have been accused of sexually assaulting a business partner. I have not seen the Police report yet but it is important that I tell you the truth.

I don’t like discussing my sex life in public. I find it unseemly and, to be quaint, unchivalrous, but it has been forced upon me.

These are the facts. The complainant is my business partner and fellow director. By law, under the Crimes Act I cannot name her. Even though I have not been charged with any crime. Even though she can disseminate a litany of lies that triggered TV stories and newspapers headlines. I’ll call her Ms. P.

And here’s the real story:

We did go to bed together once at my apartment. Penetration did not occur.

After the mutual brief encounter the issue, the allegation, of sexual misconduct was never raised. Ms. P did not go to a doctor – even though there was a medical centre across the street from my apartment. She did not go to the Police – even though Police Headquarters was only a few metres down the road from my place.

In fact, in the year or so after the alleged assault, Ms. M and I had lunch together (sometimes with mutual friends) at places like Romeo’s and Cosi about a dozen times. We also had after work drinks at the Amberoom.

Things started to get evasive when our accountant asked her for such simple things as cash flow statements and financial details for our company tax return.

Then, out of the blue, came the allegations of sexual misconduct. Ms. M did not make the allegation to me or to Police. Instead she wrote to my accountant. My accountant!

Later, I received a letter, proposing that if I paid her $50,000 she would withdraw all allegations of sexual assault and guarantee, in writing, that she would not go to the Police. We would both be bound by a confidentiality clause.

I refused. To me that was a blatant case of blackmail and extortion. More than a month ago we went to the Police over the blackmail issue. I also briefed 3AW management. Several media organisations knew about this story last year but judged the claims by Ms. M to be unreliable and decided, independently, not to run the story.

Apparently Neil Mitchell has known for about six months.

And finally, I have spent fifty years in a tough business. I hope I have built a reputation for honesty and integrity. I have championed the causes of women and children.

I will not sit back and let my name and reputation be blackened by the  vindictive and malicious lies of a woman who tried to blackmail me, to extort money from me.

I make one pledge. I will fight this foul and calculated campaign with every breath I take and every dollar I have. Nothing is worth more than your good name.

Friday, March 31, 2006

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2006