Palmer denies knowledge of Ashby case

Billionaire Clive Palmer (pic) denied any prior knowledge of the court case against Peter Slipper. Source: AAP

MINING magnate and coalition donor Clive Palmer has denied any prior knowledge of a politically damaging court case brought against former federal speaker Peter Slipper.

But Mr Palmer does admit that two weeks before the sexual harassment claims were taken to the Federal Court in April he discussed Mal Brough's candidacy for Mr Slipper's Queensland seat of Fisher with the former Howard government minister and shadow treasurer Joe Hockey.

His comments came after Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he had not read the judgment of the case, which says Mr Brough helped Slipper staffer James Ashby with his court action.

Federal Court judge Steven Rares last week found Mr Ashby acted "in combination" with another staffer, Karen Doane, and Mr Brough to willingly act against Mr Slipper and advance Mr Brough's political interests as well as those of the Queensland Liberal National Party.

Mr Palmer is mentioned in the judgment seven times, in relation to Ms Doane's request Mr Brough help her secure a job at the billionaire's Sunshine Coast resort after the dust settled on the court action.

Mr Palmer told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday he met with Mr Brough and Mr Hockey at his resort at Easter, two weeks before Mr Ashby lodged his court documents on April 21.

But he said he only learned of the claim through the subsequent media reports.

Mr Palmer said Mr Brough had called the meeting to discuss his potential Liberal candidacy for the federal seat of Fisher, which Mr Slipper holds.

"At no time did I encourage anybody to pursue Peter Slipper for anything," Mr Palmer said.

"I made it quite clear to all members of the LNP, as far as I was concerned, Peter Slipper was innocent of any crime and should not be pursued.

"I had confidence in him as a person.

"No person of any political party should use the legal system as a political tool."

Mr Abbott said he was confident Mr Brough had "acted rightly at all times".

Asked why he hadn't yet read the judgment, the opposition leader told reporters in London: "Because I am doing very important things for the people of Australia here in this country right now."

"I look forward to having Mal as a colleague of mine again," he said.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said Mr Abbott's admission he hadn't read the court judgment was "staggering".

"I think I recall Mr Abbott even saying (Mr Brough's) done absolutely nothing wrong and there is no question here to be answered," Ms Roxon said.

"If you are going to make such sweeping comments it would be wise to read the decision of the Federal Court judge."

During his UK trip, Mr Abbott delivered a speech to his alma mater Oxford and met with a number of officials including British Foreign Secretary William Hague, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and outgoing Governor of the Bank of England Sir Mervyn King.

Labor ministers this week began campaigning in the seat of Fisher alongside candidate Bill Gissane.

But Mr Brough is still rated the best chance of winning the seat, which Mr Slipper holds with a margin of 4.1 per cent.

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