Craig McLachlan has torn into the ABC and Nine newspapers for publishing “deceptive and sensationalised” claims relating to sexual harassment allegations made against him.
On May 15, a NSW document acquired by the ABC claimed that a further three actresses, one actor and two production staff had accused McLachlan of sexual harassment. However, McLachlan claims that these “fresh” allegations were not new and came from a historical document that had been filed in 2018.
“The so called ‘fresh’ allegations were again published on 15 May 2021, with the deceptive and sensationalised claim that they had just been revealed,” McLachlan said in a statement.
“The ABC and Nine were aware that the Seven Network intended to broadcast a TV documentary special the following night which would give me the first public opportunity to tell my side of the story following my full acquittal of the 13 assault charges.
“The evidence which emerged during court including the dismissed assault charges substantially proves the so called ‘fresh’ allegations are false.”
— Peter Ford (@mrpford) May 28, 2021
The allegations made against him on May 15, include non-consensually kissing, groping, and making sexual advances on five different women, all of whom he worked with on the TV series Homicide and The Doctor Blake Mysteries, and the stage performance of The Rocky Horror Show.
It’s also alleged that when actor Tim Maddern refused to play along with an on-stage joke that McLachlan started during The Rocky Horror Show, McLachlan kicked a rubbish bin and hurled abuse at the cast. This is on top of the four complainants who originally brought indecent and common assault charges against the actor in court last year.
Craig McLachlan maintains that the allegations made against him are false, as he was acquitted of them last year. He will now be continuing with defamation proceedings made against the ABC and Nine at the beginning of 2018, which were previously put on hold for his criminal trial.
Help is available.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
If you’d like to speak to someone about sexual violence, please call the 1800 Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
