Mark Latham sued over homophobic tweet
Mark Latham is being sued by New South Wales independent MP Alex Greenwich, after he failed to apologise for a "disgusting" homophobic tweet.
Greenwich said he will initiate defamation proceedings against the One Nation NSW leader in the coming days, after he gave Latham until Thursday May 18th to issue an apology for the tweet against the openly gay member for Sydney.
Greenwich confirmed the legal action would proceed after being by Latham's lawyers that he had no intention of apologising.
Latham's tweet made headlines in March, after the politicians became engaged in a war of words over Twitter when discussing the violent protest at St Michael's Church in Sydney's west, which saw members of the LGBTQIA+ community be attacked by religious extremists.
More than a dozen LGBTQIA+ protesters were ambushed by hundreds of men outside an event at the church where Mr Latham spoke about parental rights and religious freedom.
In an article Mr Greenwich called Mr Latham a "disgusting human being" who risks causing a "great deal of damage to our state".
Latham was quick to respond on Twitter, saying "That's disgusting?" What about..." followed by a graphic and homophobic comment that OverSixty has chosen not to publish.
Greenwich said his decision to take legal action against Latham was something that required much consideration, but something he feels he must do.
"This is not a process I enter into lightly, and a process I wish I didn't have to engage in," Greenwich said in a statement.
"However, Mr Latham's homophobic, sexualised attack has exposed me to contempt, ridicule and extreme abuse, based on my sexuality, and demands actions."
Greenwich has lodged a complaint of homosexual vilification and sexual harassment against Latham with Anti-Discrimination NSW.
He has also made a police complaint against Latham for using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend.
"It's 2023 and LGBTQIA+ Australians shouldn't have to put up with abuse that targets our sexuality, character, or ability to do our jobs," Greenwich said.
Image credits: Getty Images