Thomson Strongly Opposed Latest Credit Card Scandal

Beleaguered federal Labor MP Craig Thomson made another attempt of defiance as he countered opposition’s inquiry on the court hearing held in excess of the credit card issues. However, past colleagues undeniably junked Mr. Craig Thomson claims over the past union settlement with a man using credit cards for escort services.

In an interview with the radio station 2UE’s Michael Smith earlier this month, Mr. Thomson conversed that the union accomplished an agreement with a man who waged back $15,000 for the use of credit cards at an escort agency. Liberal Senator George Brandis later attacked the assertion last Wednesday as the hearing progresses. In addition, former Victorian HSU Branch Secretary Jeff Jackson admittance as the man who paid the money made Thomson’s claim untrue.

Mr. Thomson did not give any suggestions and hints stating that Mr. Jackson was the man who made the $15,000 settlement with the HSU in his 2EU interview. He also highlighted that reports on the newspapers are all false.

Mr. Jackson stressed that the payment done has nothing to do with the federal office of the union or Mr. Craig Thomson. The money only served as a settlement for fresh elections at the Victorian branch of the union ordered by the Federal Court. Sources closest to the HSU and Federal Court orders further strengthened the claim of Mr. Jackson.

The Weekend Australian has been making calls yesterday to get another word from Mr. Thomson but he did not bother to answer.

Nevertheless, Mr. Jackson considered the action done by Craig Thomson unsafe.

It can be remember that Mr. Thomson filed a defamation case against Fairfax Media. Last 2009, the newspaper published contentions concerning the consumption of a credit card issued by Mr. Thomson’s then employer, the Health Services Union.

Hotel invoices showing phone calls made to two Melbourne brothels in 2006 from the rooms hired in Mr. Thomson’s name served as evidences towards the Fairfax’s allegations. However, members of NSW Central Coast seat of Dobell repeatedly denied paying escort services using Mr. Thomson’s credit card.

Mr. Thomson discontinued the case but Fairfax defended that the allegations are all true. Some believed that an advice from his colleague NSW powerbroker Mark Arbib to settle the case before 2010 election made Thomson withdraw.

The Prime Minister told reporters yesterday that she still trusts the besieged MP because of his good performance as a local member.