He is also alleged to have twice groped Ms Norfolk's buttocks while backstage. 'That broke my heart. And thunder. The backlash to the interview erupted on social media even before it was broadcast, and continued as it aired. and His long-term partner, Vanessa Scammell, also makes a brief appearance in the trailer where she says McLachlan has been abandoned by everybody. ", For those watching Ch7 - here's the pertinent final comments to consider from the judge's ruling on the case.Consider these as you watch. In a statement of claim, filed to the court, Mr McLachlan alleges he was defamed by reports on the ABC in January 2018. Victoria Police later charged him with seven counts of indecent assault and six counts of common law assault against four women on the set of the Rocky Horror Show in 2014. Lewd footage of Craig McLachlan airs in court, McLachlans courtroom singing unnecessary, Magistrate Belinda Wallington found the women who accused McLachlan. He had endured months of scrutiny which saw him and his partner Vanessa forced to make their way through media packs outside of a Melbourne court. Subscribe for free to get the latest breaking news and analysis sent to your inbox. The document released this week by the Supreme Court isthe ABC's defence to Mr McLachlan's defamation claim. log'. One of the women interviewed on the 7.30 Report. Watch McLachlan v ABC We address allegations an ABC producer 'coached' Craig McLachlan's female accusers during a TV interview. She described the four complainants as brave and honest witnesses who had not colluded and were not motivated by career ambition. Even a heater. 2 min read. What is strange is that in contrast to the sombre tone of McLachlan's disclosures about his mental health, we're suddenly told he and Vanessa decided to 'fight', and shown a montage of them at the gym and also McLachlan physically punching a bag. In the industry everyone loved him including myself, he said. You're referring to that individual? The actor, 55, was seen in self-filmed video clips, sitting on what he called the 'Will I? He had endured months of scrutiny which saw him and his partner Vanessa forced to make their way through media packs outside of a Melbourne court. On this claim, I believe her, he said. Thompson denied he was disparaging about Whelan Browne and others when he tweeted that the victims were not asked back to do the 2017 Rocky Horror production. The actor is now suing the ABC, Fairfax and an actress for defamation over the 2018 reports. "Even as a 100 per cent innocent, acquitted man, I feel I continue to be f*cked over day after day - by our friend," he says through tears. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. As for McLachlan, Garner says she has not spoken to him since the news broke. Kylie Stevens The defamation case was stayed pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings, and the witnesses have yet to give evidence about the allegations in the ABC's defence. In this post-Weinstein hashtag-me-too world-gone-mad, I can't win,' he said. Get exclusive deals, discounts, news and more made just for you. The log was fashioned into a low, rustic bench located alongside a waterway with a notoriously strong current. Marta Jary For Daily Mail Australia But he has denied the allegations in the publications, and has accused Whelan Browne and two other women of approaching the media for notoriety or money. 21,846 views May 15, 2021 126 Dislike Share ABC News (Australia) 1.62M subscribers Five months after being acquitted of multiple indecent assault charges, more actors have come forward accusing. By The f**k I am!' The explosive interview with Craig McLachlan, acquitted of serious criminal charges that cost him his career. McLachlan ranted, in tears, before his partnerScammell attempted to soothe him, and asked the interview to be cut. In the court document, she alleges Mr McLachlan placed his hand on her buttock during a close-up scene and says she was so surprised that she forgot her lines. Qantas chief Alan Joyce to retire as new CEO named, This must end: Radical plan to stop children vaping, King Charles coronation is almost upon us. But once McLachlan argues thatthose remarks were just a result of the 'Vinestein' context (he really does say Vinestein instead of Weinstein, as in Harvey Weinstein, at one point), we move on to the issue that upsets him the most: the friend who betrayed him. Australian actor Craig McLachlan, seen here with partner Vanessa Scammell arriving to give video evidence from his barrister's office in November 2020, has given an emotional interview to Channel 7. In December, McLachlan was found not guilty of seven indecent assault. 17:30 BST 23 May 2021. Hewas found not guilty of all charges in a 105 page decision by magistrate Belinda Wallington, which had related to his time starring in the Rocky Horror Picture Show and left him on the brink of suicide. A fresh witness has gone public with claims supporting Craig McLachlan's denials that he touched a co-star's genitals while performing in a musical live on stage. Shame on @Channel7 for giving Craig McLachlan a tell-all platform, framing him as the victim after several accusations of sexual assault. Craig Dougall McLachlan (born 1 September 1965) is an Australian actor, musician, singer and composer. He is seeking damages, aggravated damages, special damages, interest and costs. This was not as scripted or directed.". Five months after being acquitted of multiple indecent assault charges, more actors have come forward accusing Craig McLachlan of sexual harassment. Despite his acquittal, the heat remains on Mr McLachlan. The defence document alleges: "During one ofher scenes with McLachlan, Samson and McLachlan were required to stand close together facing each other and engage in dialogue.". And that fire was the backstage culture of that show [The Rocky Horror Show]. Fordham said during his radio on Monday I know Tamzen HayesI believe her. The document alleges Mr McLachlan was angry, kicked a rubbish bin and yelled the words, "You are a bunch of untalented and ungrateful c****!". The 55-year-old actor had recounted the aftermath of sexual. ", 'Are you kidding me? Mr Maddren alleges he was asked to attend Mr McLachlan's dressing room and the star told him: "If anyone had acted like you had on Doctor Blake, they would have been gone. Repeatedly. He and Scammell claimed that female accusers were jealous of his success and that he was portrayed as some dirty paedophile, recalling the heartbreaking moment when a mother ushered her children away from him in the supermarket. Oh, I really miss you, Craig. The Gold Logie-winning actor sat side by side with his partner, Vanessa Scammell, who has been his staunch supporter throughout the allegations. On the Sunday night, before the 7.30 Report ran on Monday January 8, 2018, McLachlan says he stood on stage at the Rocky Horror Show and heard the crowd's cheers. Melanie Tait (@MelanieTait) May 16, 2021. The fresh support from Mr Lawrence emerged a week after McLachlan has shared shocking footage of the moment he contemplated taking his own life. In six weeks' time [to know what] she had planned.'. With lightning. The defence document further alleges that at the end of three days of filming, Ms Hayes farewelled some of the cast and crew and left the studio to walk towards her car in the parking lot. We're introduced to the actor, looking dishevelled, saying it's March 2019 and there has been no resolution or vindication when it comes to the allegations against him. Describing McLachlan as a very sensitive person, Thompson, whose stage name is Danny Tesla, said he had been worried the reports would destroy his friend. Treasure them. He is best known for appearing in the soap operas Neighbours [2] and Home and Away and the BBC One spy drama Bugs. While Magistrate Wallington said she accepted some of the complainants' evidence, she said it did not meet the high criminal standards required to prove the charges. He allegedly called her a gorgeous woman and said: "I love 22-year-olds.". I saw Craig standing there with a banana.. Craig McLachlan has sat down with Channel 7 for a tell-all interview after being acquitted of sexual harassment allegations. Christie Whelan Browne spoke out so others would not have to suffer.Credit: Nick Moir. May 17, 2021 - 3:24PM. One journalist shared her outrage over the comment McLachlan made that it could happen to anyone. Craig McLachlan on Seven's Spotlight program. McLachlan immediately filed defamation action against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, the ABC and an actress over the news reports last year. Heres what you need to know, Paul Bongiorno: King Charles coronation is a last hurrah for Australian monarchy, Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013 a wake-up call for consumers, The night I cooked schnitty for Barry Humphries, Fixing shortage of aged-care workers through migration has risks, have accused him of sexually harassing them, I dont believe it: Aussie Jack Miller wins chaotic French MotoGP after speeding ticket. And it's pretty good,' he said in the clip. It's news when you want it, from Australia's most trusted news organisation.For more from ABC News, click here: https://ab.co/2kxYCZYWatch more ABC News content ad-free on iview: https://ab.co/2OB7Mk1Go deeper on our ABC News In-depth channel: https://ab.co/2lNeBn2Like ABC News on Facebook: http://facebook.com/abcnews.auFollow ABC News on Instagram: http://instagram.com/abcnews_auFollow ABC News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/abcnews#ABCNews #ABCNewsAustralia F--- em. "What a f*cking disgrace. Justice Carolyn Simpson replied: Misogynys perhaps not the best word to use, but, I mean, essentially the case is about Mr McLachlans attitude to women and his treatment of them . 'I want it noted the following: The four complainants were brave and honest witnesses. Not only did we continue to work together, we continued to work together and have, and I'm speaking for me 'You know, we had a great time together in 2016. The reporting of these types of stories is something that is not taken lightly. A highly emotional Craig McLachlan is sitting down for his first interview since being acquitted of sexual harassment allegations. Over an hour and a half, Seven aired an interview with the actor and his partner, pianist and conductor Vanessa Scammel, alongside diary-style footage taken over the last few years, about the serious criminal charges that (almost) cost him his career. In this post Weinstein hashtag #MeToo world I cant win, he said. Magistrate Ms Wallington said it was McLachlan's 'egotistical self entitled sense of humour' that led him to believe at least one of his alleged victim's would either not mind or find his behaviour funny. Oh, I really miss you, Craig. As far as capitulations go, they don't come much bigger than actor Craig McLachlan abandoning his high-profile defamation case and agreeing to pay the $2 million-plus costs of The Sydney Morning . This was not scripted or directed.". The woman, I kid you not, [she was] shielding her children from me as I walked past. The Herald and the ABC spent months investigating the claims and corroborating the facts. Later in the interview, the actor also shared footage of the shipping container he spent time living in while out of work and in hiding. Ms Hayes played the role of Virginia McKay in season two of Dr Blakein 2014 and was on set for three days of filming. This was not scripted or directed. When they arrived at the airport and Ms Steele pulled in to drop him off, he leaned over and kissed her on both cheeks, the statement said. McLachlan in his evidence agreed he had brought sexual jokes and pranks to The Rocky Horror Show, including deep-throating bananas and pretending to masturbate crew members arms. Christie Whelan Browne spoke out so others would not have to suffer. 'I could name the supermarket. To think this girl runs out of the caf and hugs us right there [She said,] "Oh, my god, it's so good to see you. Since we live in a legal system, not a justice system, we women need to make our own rules. log'. The 90 minute program aired on May 16 divided viewers across the country. Craig McLachlan outside a Sydney court. Three more actresses have accused actor Craig McLachlan of sexually harassing them on the set of The Doctor Blake Mysteries TV series and during the hit musical, The Rocky Horror Show, an explosive court document reveals. 13:43 BST 17 May 2021. Image: Seven. "And we were all involved in the construction of that fire. He went back to his car and burst into tears. Key points: The media's barrister depicted McLachlan as someone who took his frustrations out on his co-stars McLachlan says he has not worked in three years, but revealed he will next appear in a one-man show about the life of country singer Hank Williams in South Australia. A tell-all 7NEWS Spotlight interview with Craig McLachlan Sunday night has sparked an eruption of emotions by viewers. Completely putting aside the validity of his response to these allegations, it is objectively bizarre to turn them into a performance.