Former New South Wales One Nation leader, Mark Latham, is being sued for defamation in the Federal Court by independent MP Alex Greenwich following a homophobic tweet. The lawsuit alleges that the tweet caused significant harm to Greenwich’s mental health and public image, leading to a wave of abuse and threats.
Mark Latham, the former New South Wales (NSW) One Nation leader, is facing a defamation lawsuit in the Federal Court initiated by independent MP Alex Greenwich. The case stems from a homophobic tweet posted by Latham in March 2023, shortly after the NSW state election. Greenwich, who had described Latham as a “disgusting human being,” claims the explicit response tweet defamed him by implying he engaged in repugnant sexual acts and was unfit for political office.
Greenwich’s barrister, Matthew Collins KC, argued that Latham’s tweet unleashed a wave of abuse, including death threats and accusations of child grooming, profoundly impacting Greenwich’s mental health and public life. Greenwich, while testifying, expressed that the tweet made his “stomach churn” and shared that he had considered leaving politics due to the severity of the backlash.
The court heard that following the tweet, Greenwich’s office was targeted with threatening messages, prompting police to train staff on handling suspicious mail. Despite the tweet being deleted within a few hours, Collins stated it had lasting repercussions on Greenwich’s life. The trial continues without Latham taking the stand.
