Secret recording reveals 'gaslighting' and 'bullying' in Deeming's defamation trial
A secret recording of a 70-minute meeting between former Liberal MP Moira Deeming and Opposition Leader John Pesutto has been aired in a Melbourne court, marking the second day of Deeming’s defamation case. The legal battle follows Pesutto’s wild claims linking her to Nazi sympathisers after a controversial rally in March 2023.
Moira Deeming's court case against John Pesutto begins today, over 18 months after Pesutto's outrageous allegations & appalling treatment of her.
— MilkBarTV (@TheMilkBarTV) September 16, 2024
I've got to know Moira quite well (since making the video below) & proudly continue to collaborate on videos for her. She's one of… https://t.co/4nmjroHPzJ
Moira is all class. @MoiraDeemingMP
— Havee Snowball Chu Chu (@HaveeSnowball) September 16, 2024
Not only should she win her defamation case.
She should be leader of the Opposition.
She'd actually win government, and return Melbourne to its former glory.
Go Moira. We are right behind you! pic.twitter.com/wcmLWZS6rz
The court heard Pesutto’s concerns about the ‘Let Women Speak’ rally Deeming organised, which was attended by white supremacists. Deeming was later suspended and expelled from the Liberal Party.
During the meeting with senior Victorian Liberals, Pesutto warned Deeming of the political fallout.
Moira Deeming was clearly the only honest and rational person in that meeting
— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) September 17, 2024
John Pesutto, David Southwick and Georgie Crozier all need to resign or be removed from the Liberal Party
Deeming would make a better leader than all three of those gutless cowards
Right behind you Moira. #IStandWithMoiraDeeming#LetWomenSpeak pic.twitter.com/f6oCs5PctN
— Lyle Shelton (@LyleShelton) September 16, 2024
"There’s this very concerning perception out there that we are associated with Nazis," he said. "I am getting clobbered."
It was a terrible first day for The Liberal Party in the Deeming vs Pesutto defamation case.
— “Mate” (@tigertuffmark) September 16, 2024
I expect the phones will be running hot tonight & will continue so for the next 3 weeks.
I’m not monetized, I only post when matters are important to me, if you support Moira like &…
Deeming denied any awareness of Nazi attendance, stating:
"Very obviously, I am not a Nazi, and I don’t support Nazis."
She said she only learned of the Nazi gatecrashing when police arrested them.
It seems the whole reason for Pesutto firing Moira wasn’t “associating with Nazis” it was “transphobia” and her beliefs not aligning with the Liberal brand. #SecretRecording #DeemingvPesutto #WitchHunt
— Angie Jones (@angijones) September 17, 2024
Remember while you are listening to these people who condemn Moira for “drinking champagne with these people” (meaning me & @ThePosieParker) and make the disgusting and false claim that I support the views of Nazis, that I am over 25 years sober and I was drinking orange juice.… pic.twitter.com/glErAnnuuk
— Angie Jones (@angijones) September 17, 2024
The irony of John Pesutto asking Moira Deemimg if she “really wants to be associated with someone like Angie Jones” is that his entire career will now be defined by his despicable treatment of Moira Deeming, Kellie-Jay Keen & Angie Jones. 😎#SecretRecordings #DeemingvPesutto
— Angie Jones (@angijones) September 17, 2024
The meeting became tense, with Liberal MPs David Southwick and Georgie Crozier also in attendance. Southwick criticised Deeming for socialising with rally organisers.
He highlighted a tweet from one of the organisers that he found offensive, saying it was "seriously offensive to Jewish people."
Deeming’s lawyer, Sue Chrysanthou SC, described the meeting as a "shocking" attack, likening it to gaslighting and accusing the leadership of bullying her client.
