‘I’ll call you a pathological liar’

On Channel Nine's 60 Minutes program, James Ashby goes into detail on the sexual advances made on him by his former boss Peter Slipper; accusations which rocked Australian politics.

FORMER staffer James Ashby has broken his silence over the Peter Slipper scandal, alleging Abbott government minister Christopher Pyne warned he would call him a "pathological liar" if he went public.

Mr Ashby alleges that he was bombarded with sexually explicit texts by former Speaker Peter Slipper when he started working for him as an adviser on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in 2010.

Allegations ... James Ashby claims he was offered a job and a lawyer.

He took Mr Slipper to court alleging sexual harassment and breach of contract.

He dropped the case earlier this year, citing Mr Slipper's mental illness and exorbitant court costs.

The 35-year-old gay staffer said he went to Mr Pyne, then a senior figure in Opposition, at the suggestion of Queensland MP Wyatt Roy, to discuss making a complaint after Mr Slipper sent him suggestive texts.

Allegations ... James Ashby told 60 Minutes he met with Christopher Pyne to discuss his case. Source: Supplied

Mr Ashby told 60 Minutes he met with Roy twice in the space of a day and showed him the sexually explicit texts.

"He (Roy) was shocked. He didn't know what to do," Ashby said.

"He had no idea. And he said to me that he would have to ask someone else. And he suggested to me the only person he could trust was Christopher Pyne."

Mr Ashby told interviewer Liz Hayes: "Wyatt said to me, 'Once I speak to Christopher I'll get you the information, which will help you make that complaint."

Claims ... former Slipper staffer James Ashby told Lix Hayes he believed Mr Pyne was trying to "pre-warn me that things are gonna get hot". Source: Supplied

The former staffer — who told 60 Minutes he knew the sexual harassment claims would be political "dynamite" — said he went to Mr Pyne's office under the guise of picking up a bottle of wine.

"I said to him (Pyne), 'I just need to know that my job is safe and that a lawyer will be provided.

"And he said they would. He did say to me, though, that I may never want to come back to Canberra, that I may choose to take up a job within state politics instead."

Mr Ashby told Hayes he believed Mr Pyne was to "pre-warn me that things are gonna get hot".

Winery trips ... Peter Slipper, with his wife Inge, was found guilty of miusuing taxpayer-funded CabCharge vouchers. Source: News Limited

"And I remember the conversation didn't last too long at all. We literally got up from his table, he (Pyne) walked me towards the door, he said to me, 'You're a braver man than I am,' as we exited and said, "If you discuss or tell anyone we've had this discussion, I'll be forced to come out publicly and call you a pathological liar."

Mr Ashby told Liz Hayes that the offer of a solicitor and job security gave him the "confidence" to make his allegations of sexual harassment.

During the interview, Mr Ashby alleged that he also made contact with senior Coalition figure Mal Brough, who Slipper lost his seat to.

No involvement ... Education Minister Christopher Pyne has denied having prior knowlege of the sexual harrassment allegations. Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Slipper resigned as parliamentary Speaker in October 2012.

Mr Ashby told 60 Minutes the offer of a lawyer was later withdrawn and he was informed there was by no means any guarantees of work. There was also no legal assistance, none whatsoever."

Mr Ashby, who now works at a graphic design printing company on the Sunshine Coast, said the fallout from the Slipper case continued to haunt him and had even led him to contemplate suicide.

Both Mr Roy and Mr Pyne declined to be interviewed by 60 Minutes.

Seeking advice ... James Ashby claimed he met with Queensland MP Wyatt Roy. Source: Supplied

In a statement issued on Sunday night, Christopher Pyne denied having "specific knowledge" of the allegations made by Mr Ashby.

"All these matters have been aired over and over again for the last three years," Mr Pyne said.

"Mr Slipper has been found guilty of fraud against the taxpayer. Mr Ashby settled a sexual harassment case with the Commonwealth.

"I had no specific knowledge of the allegations made by Mr Ashby and the first I knew that he was suing Mr Slipper was when I read it in the newspapers.

This is a dispute between two individuals – not a dispute that includes me or any other member of the Government."

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