Senator Brian Burston files AVO against James Ashby weeks after their scuffle

Leader of the United Australia Party Brian Burston has filed an AVO against One Nation advisor James Ashby weeks after their public brawl at Parliament House. 

The New South Wales senator, who is a former member of One Nation, and Pauline Hanson’s top advisor were filmed getting into a scuffle in Canberra on February 13.    

Court records show Mr Burston filed for an Apprehended Violence Application in Toronto Court House and the case is scheduled to be heard on April 9.  

Mr Ashby is yet to respond to the filing, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. 

Footage showed the pair grappling with each other after Mr Burston, who sensationally quit One Nation last year, accused Senator Hanson of sexually harassing him on three occasions over two decades.

 

Senator Brian Burston (right) filed an Apprehended Violence Application against Senator Pauline Hanson’s chief-of-staff James Ashby (left) following their public brawl 

Footage showed the pair grappling with each other in the halls of Parliament on February 13

Footage showed the pair grappling with each other in the halls of Parliament on February 13

Senator Burston shared images of his bloodstained hand, which was later seen in bandages.

The altercation prompted Senate President Scott Ryan to revoke Mr Ashby’s parliamentary pass after he called it ‘inappropriate behaviour by a passholder towards a Senator.’ 

Mr Burston later said he would not attend the April Budget session if Mr Ashby is present. 

The tussle erupted after Mr Ashby approached Mr Burston as he and his wife left the Australian Minerals Industry Parliamentary Dinner and put a phone close to his face to film him, causing the 70-year-old to lash out.

‘I told him to f*** off, I lost it I grabbed him and I pushed him up against the wall, I defended myself and my wife, physically,’ Mr Burston told News Corp.    

Mr Ashby later provided a photo which he claimed showed the door to Senator Hanson’s office smeared in blood, but Senator Burston denied having anything to do with the marks on the door.

Mr Burston later reported the incident to Australian Federal Police.  

Senator Burston shared images of his bloodstained hand (pictured) following the confrontation

Senator Burston shared images of his bloodstained hand (pictured) following the confrontation

The senator's hand was later seen wrapped in gauze

Mr Burston's hand after the brawl

The senator’s hand was later seen wrapped in gauze. Mr Burston later reported the incident ot the police 

The senator had claimed Ms Hanson ran her fingers up and down his spine as they stood on stage at the One Nation Party’s first Annual General Meeting at the Rooty Hill RSL in 1998. 

He said the second alleged incident took place in 2016 while visiting her home with former politician Peter Breen.  

In a third alleged incident, Mr Burston claimed the pair were at dinner when Ms Hanson mentioned she had some free time after the meal, allegedly saying ‘what do you reckon?’. 

Ms Hanson has hit out at the sexual harassment claims, calling them baseless and ‘hilarious’.

‘I wouldn’t go near him with a barge pole … I just feel it’s quite hilarious that he’s made these allegations against me,’ she said. 

Mr Breen also hit out at the claims of sexual harassment levelled against Ms Hanson. 

Ms Hanson hit out at the sexual harassment claims as baseless and 'hilarious', saying she wouldn't 'go near him with a barge pole'

Ms Hanson hit out at the sexual harassment claims as baseless and ‘hilarious’, saying she wouldn’t ‘go near him with a barge pole’

Mr Burston claimed Ms Hanson sexually harassed him on three separate occasions over a 20 year period 

Mr Burston claimed Ms Hanson sexually harassed him on three separate occasions over a 20 year period 

Mr Ashby (pictured with Ms Hanson) used his phone to film Mr Burston as he left the Australian Minerals Industry Parliamentary Dinner last month

Mr Ashby (pictured with Ms Hanson) used his phone to film Mr Burston as he left the Australian Minerals Industry Parliamentary Dinner last month

‘For Brian to suggest that (invitation to stay at her property) was some kind of advancement by Pauline is just ridiculous,’ he said.

‘I can’t recall an occasion where she hasn’t invited someone to stay … Pauline Hanson has much better taste than to be sexually harassing Brian Burston.’ 

He said it was common for colleagues and friends to stay at Ms Hanson’s property, which has separate accommodation from her home and is over an hour away from the nearest airport.  

Mr Burston said he left the One Nation Party in June of 2018 to join the United Australia Party as a result of the perceived sexual harassment from Miss Hanson. 

However, at the time, he told media he left the party after not being asked if the party should withdraw support from the company tax cuts plan put forward by the Federal Government. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Brian Burston and James Ashby for comment. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk