8 Sep 2016

Williams cross-examined over Colin Craig texts

7:47 pm on 8 September 2016

The man suing Colin Craig for defamation has been questioned in court about whether he actually read an explicit text the former Conservative Party leader is said to have sent to his press secretary.

Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams was crossed examined by Mr Craig's lawyer in the High Court in Auckland this morning.

Mr Williams went to court seeking damages from Mr Craig over comments he made at a news conference and in a leaflet, titled Dirty Politics and Hidden Agendas, which was distributed to 1.6 million homes around the country in July last year.

Mr Williams has told the court that the comments suggested he been dishonest and had made up allegations about why Mr Craig's press secretary Rachel MacGregor had left her job in 2014.

Mr Williams said Ms MacGregor had confided in him about Mr Craig sexually harassing her.

Jordan Williams (left) and Colin Craig

Jordan Williams, left, and Colin Craig. Photo: Supplied

This morning in court, Mr Williams was asked why he shared details about the text with the Conservative Party's former chief executive Christine Rankin.

He replied that he was frustrated and angry at Mr Craig and he thought Ms Rankin had seen through Mr Craig's lies like he had.

Defence lawyer Stephen Mills QC questioned Mr Williams about whether he had read the text that he had earlier told the court had been sent to Ms MacGregor.

Mr Mills said his client will give evidence under oath that he never sent such a sex text.

The trial, before Justice Katz and a jury, could take up to five weeks.

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