Pauline Hanson responds to sexual harassment allegations made by Brian Burston

Pauline Hanson has responded to a series of allegations made by Senator Brian Burston, who claims to have been sexually harassed by the Queensland pollie on multiple occasions during his time at One Nation.

The former One Nation Senator, who left Hanson’s party in June last year to join Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party, levelled the allegations against his former party leader on Wednesday, in an exclusive chat with News Corp.

“Right back when we had our first One Nation AGM at the Rooty Hill RSL (in 1998), that was the first time she hit on me,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

He told the news outlet that Hanson “rubbed her fingers up his spine” whilst they were standing on stage listening to the national anthem.

Senator Hanson has strenuously denied the claims to multiple sources since they came to light yesterday and a One Nation spokesperson this morning told Starts at 60: “The series of allegations by Brian Burston are vehemently denied by Senator Hanson.”

Burston also alleged that Hanson had more recently propositioned him at her home in Queensland and at a Canberra serviced apartment.

However Hanson told 7 News: “It’s an absolute joke. Absolutely nothing has happened. I might be 64 but I’m not that desperate.”

The drama didn’t end there though as, following the Australian Minerals Industry Parliamentary Dinner, which was attended by both Hanson and Burston, an altercation broke out between Burston and One Nation adviser James Ashby.

Canberra: Senator Brian Burston and James Ashby have clashed in The Great Hall amid claims of sexual harrassment. Senator @PaulineHansonOz says @UnitedAusParty's @Senator_Burston singled-out her advisor James Ashby. "It was Brian who went back and attacked James." #auspol #7News pic.twitter.com/wv3vrDWqAH

— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) February 13, 2019

Footage has been leaked of the clash which took place in the Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra, which appears to show Burston trying to grab Ashby’s phone, as he filmed the Senator and his wife leaving the function.

Speaking to 7 News immediately following the clash, Hanson said: “There was a scuffle there…and it was Brian who actually went back and attacked James. He was swearing. It’s all been captured on film.”

A One Nation spokesperson today added: “Senator Burston’s actions in parliament last night were caught on video and witnessed by multiple bystanders.

“I would welcome police review that footage and speak with bystanders should they wish to.”

Senator Burston’s comments came after Senator Hanson told the Upper House on Tuesday that an unnamed senator who had been involved in “more than six” unfair dismissal cases was also facing “another case of serious sexual harassment”.

Burston told News Corp there was “no doubt” she had been referring to him.

Starts at 60 are not suggesting that Senator Hanson was referring to Senator Burston.

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