Mark Latham’s ex Nathalie Matthews appears in court after airport arrest
Former federal Labor leader Mark Latham was caught in a heated exchange with journalists outside court on Wednesday, just moments after his ex-partner pleaded not guilty to sharing intimate images without consent.
Nathalie May Matthews, 38, was detained as she arrived into Sydney from Dubai on Sunday and was held overnight but freed on Monday after a hearing at Parramatta Local Court.
Appearing before the John Maddison Tower Local Court on Wednesday, she pleaded not guilty to the charges of access/modify restricted data held in computer, intentionally record intimate image without consent etc, and intentionally distribute intimate image without consent.
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She was dressed in a sleek black dress and heels, as Mr Latham sat on the opposite side of the courtroom across from her.
Ms Matthews spent a night in Surry Hills Correctional after she was initially refused bail by police.
She had to surrender her passport and must not apply for a new one as part of her bail conditions, and is not permitted to contact any prosecution witnesses except through a legal practitioner.
Her lawyer Daniel Wakim told reporters outside court that they would “deal with the matter in due course”.
“We will wait for the evidence to come out,” he said.
Ms Matthews will return to court on November 26.
The fresh charges against Ms Matthews come after she applied for an aggravated violence order (AVO) against Mr Latham.
She alleged Mr Latham abused her during their relationship and forced her into degrading sex acts.
Speaking outside of court on Wednesday, Mr Latham told reporters he believes the AVO is a “complete waste of the court’s time”.
“Well, it makes me feel as a legislator, as a parliamentarian, there’s something wrong with the legal system in NSW,” he told an awaiting media scrum.
He claimed Ms Matthews’ allegations against him were “scurrilous and false” before a tense exchange ensued between Mr Latham and a TV journalist.
“Can you let me speak or do you want to keep interrupting me?” Mr Latham said, before grabbing her microphone.
The court has not released the exact allegations and no criminal charges have been laid against Mr Latham.
He has repeatedly denied the allegations.
That AVO matter will return to court on October 29 when Ms Matthews’ lawyer is expected to push for a non-publication order to be made.
It is set for a three-day hearing in May.
Originally published as Mark Latham’s ex Nathalie Matthews appears in court after airport arrest
