Extract from ABC News
New South Wales Police have provided more details about how and when a woman approached them to make a historical rape allegation against Attorney-General Christian Porter, which he strenuously denies.
Key points:
- Police say they met with the woman a number of times after she first contacted them
- She did not make a formal statement before she took her life in June 2020
- Christian Porter "categorically" denied the historical rape allegation at a press conference yesterday
Police said they first met with the woman who raised the allegations in late February 2020.
On June 23, the day before the woman took her own life, she emailed police to say she did not want to go ahead with the complaint, citing medical and personal reasons.
"She also thanked investigators in this email. She was grateful for the time and support the investigators provided to her."
In their statement, NSW Police said a detective replied to the woman on June 24.
A day later, South Australian Police told investigators she had died.
"As previously indicated, it was only following the woman's death that NSW Police came into possession of a personal document purportedly made by the woman sometime prior," the statement said.
At a press conference yesterday Mr Porter "categorically" denied the allegation, saying it "did not happen".
On Tuesday NSW Police said there was "insufficient admissible evidence" to proceed, and that the case was now closed.
Police said they had regular contact with the woman between when she first met with them and her death.
"During the contact had with her, her ongoing welfare was discussed along with a plan for how and when her statement would be taken," NSW Police said.
Yesterday Mr Porter said the substance of the allegation was never put to him before it appeared in the media last week.
NSW Police said they ordinarily provided a person of interest with the allegations once a formal statement was provided.
"Providing a version to a suspect prior to obtaining a formal statement would have an impact on any future investigative strategies," it said.
The allegation came to light after an anonymous letter was sent to the Prime Minister last week, accusing Mr Porter of raping the woman, who was 16 at the time, in Sydney in 1988.
SA investigation into woman's death continuing
Police in South Australia have been given extra assistance from the coroner to continue their investigation into the woman's death.
A statement from state coroner David Whittle said: "Whilst SAPOL has provided information to me, I determined that the investigation is incomplete."
"This was particularly evident having regard to information contained in recent media reports.
"The investigation is continuing and once that investigation has been completed to my satisfaction, I shall determine whether to hold an inquest."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison dismissed calls for an inquiry into the allegation this morning, saying it would imply "the rule of law and our police are not competent to deal with these issues".
"This is not the mob process," he said.
"There is not the 'tribe-has-spoken' process.
"That's not how we run the rule of law in Australia."
Both Mr Morrison and senior Cabinet members Josh Frydenberg and Peter Dutton have voiced their support for Mr Porter.
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