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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Michael McGowan

Judge rebukes Pauline Hanson staffer James Ashby for being ‘evasive’ during defamation trial

James Ashby (left) arrives at the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney, Tuesday, June 14, 2022 with his lawyer Sue Chrysanthou.
James Ashby (left) arrives at the federal court of Australia with lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC to give evidence at the defamation trial between Pauline Hanson and Brian Burston. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

A federal court judge has accused James Ashby of being “evasive” during his evidence in a defamation trial between his boss Pauline Hanson and former One Nation senator Brian Burston.

Ashby, Hanson’s longtime chief of staff, was called to give evidence on Tuesday over his role in what Burston claims were a series of allegations of sexual harassment made against him on social media, in interviews and in a text to his wife, Rosalyn.

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