CHRIS Gayle has hired Australia’s most feared defamation lawyer to take legal action against Fairfax Media over reports he indecently exposed himself to a woman last year.

Mark O’Brien, who only last July won a case against Fairfax and forced it to pay $200,000 in damages to former treasurer Joe Hockey, is representing Gayle.

Those close to Gayle say he is seething over the news report and will pursue the case vigorously.

O’Brien has previously represented heavyweights Alan Jones, Kerry Packer and Rene Rivkin in high-profile cases.

He also acted for Publishing and Broadcasting Limited and the Australian Rugby League during the Super League War.

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O’Brien’s most recent run-in with Fairfax Media was on behalf of Hockey and resulted in the media company being forced to pay the $200,000 in damages last July after publishing a controversial story under the headline “Treasurer for sale”, which falsely suggested Hockey was engaging in improper conduct.

However, it was also reported that Hockey lost out overall because his legal bills were estimated to be around $500,000.

Considering Cricket Australia will stop Gayle from playing in future Big Bash series due to his behaviour, the West Indian batsman now has few bridges left to burn and is expected to pursue the matter to its end.

The key man in verifying or discrediting the claims made in the Fairfax Media article is West Indian team manager Richie Richardson.

However, complicating any investigation is that yesterday was virtually Richardson’s last day on the job in West Indies colours.

The former great is taking up a position as an ICC match referee and his first assignment looks set to be the one-day series in South Africa when the Proteas take on England.

Richardson and Windies’ management are under strict instructions not to talk about the Gayle matter and if any statement was to be made, it would be coming from home base in the Caribbean.

It’s unclear what impact, if any, Richardson’s departure to the ICC will have on any WICB investigation.

The ICC is refusing to investigate the claims, despite them allegedly taking place in the lead-up to its World Cup tournament in Sydney last year.

Gayle is due to play for the Melbourne Renegades against the Stars at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Those close to Gayle are confident he will see out the rest of the season with the Renegades, who went to ground yesterday with chairman Jason Dunstall refusing to comment.

media_camera Melbourne Renegades’ star recruit Chris Gayle. Picture: Ellen Smith.

Originally published as Gayle suits up over Fairfax report