Lambie quiet over smears

Ex-staff allege ‘rude, crude’ behaviour

SENATOR Jacqui Lambie has refrained from returning fire against her former chief of staff and office manager whose claims of “rude and crude” behaviour by the Burnie-based politician were made public at the weekend.

Rob Messenger, a former Liberal National Party politician in Queensland and his wife, Fern, quit a month ago.

Both positions have since been advertised.

In a letter of complaint obtained by News Corp the pair accuse Senator Lambie of displaying unpredictable behaviour and of crudely talking about her sex life at work.

They also allege the inde- pendent senator would use vulgar and obscene language and give orders to staff while under the influence of alcohol.

A spokesman for Senator Lambie yesterday alleged the pair had made false claims.

“But Senator Lambie does not intend to offer a running commentary on this while it’s going through Fair Work,” the spokesman said.

“Mr Messenger is a disgruntled former employee, lashing out for reasons only he understands.

“He might want to damage Senator Lambie’s reputation, but Senator Lambie does not want to damage his. She wishes him good health and good luck into the future.”

The Messengers have made an official complaint to the Commonwealth under Public Interest Disclosure Laws.

Senator Lambie then issued a “show cause” notice to the pair over claims Mr Messenger used a private email address for work purposes and allegations they were trying to spy on their former boss.