Senator Rodney Culleton: Two men arrested during senator's court appearance

Updated

Two men have been arrested by police from a Perth court hearing of a case involving former One Nation senator Rodney Culleton.

Senator Culleton was representing himself in the Federal Court for a bankruptcy hearing involving former Wesfarmers director Dick Lester.

He repeatedly denied ever receiving a bankruptcy notice from a police sergeant and claimed he had money to pay any debts.

Earlier today, Mr Culleton walked out after demanding two men he claims breached a violence restraining order against his wife be removed.

The senator had requested an adjournment, however the Federal Court judge denied that and said the hearing should continue.

"If you don't remove them, I'll stand down from the court," Senator Culleton said.

Federal Court judge Michael Barker replied: "Senator Culleton, don't try and control the court."

Shortly after that, Senator Culleton's wife walked in to the court and urged him to stay, saying she had "it under control".

However, the senator then stood up and walked out of the court.

There were gasps from the public gallery as he left.

The judge then adjourned the court for five minutes.

Senator Culleton returned, but claimed there had been a "major security breach".

Judge Barker said his "patience [was] tested" and described the proceedings as a "circus".

Proceedings began again but shortly after police officers entered the court and removed two men, who had earlier identified themselves as Bruce Bell and Frank Bertola.

They were arrested and taken away in the back of a police vehicle.

The court was adjourned just after 4:30pm and Judge Barker said he would deliver his findings on Friday.

Yesterday, Senator Culleton announced he was quitting anti-immigration party One Nation, claiming he and his office had been subject to "un-Australian behaviour" and public rants by leader Pauline Hanson.

Culleton facing payout to former business partner

The case centres on a 2013 ruling that Mr Culleton must pay Mr Lester $200,000 over a failed property deal.

Senator Culleton has unsuccessfully appealed twice against the ruling, and the figure has now increased to $280,000 plus costs.

In October, the senator filed an urgent application with the Federal Court to stop Mr Lester and his companies taking action to enforce the order.

He has released a statement calling for a jury trial, something judge Barker today dismissed.

Outside the court Senator Culleton said he was not insolvent.

"They can't bankrupt me because I'm not insolvent. I have the money. There is money in trust that way outdoes his [Mr Lester's] purported sum."

He said he might "go and grow lavender" if the court case goes against him, but was not worried about the prospect of no longer being a senator.

"Such is life," he told reporters.

Topics: courts-and-trials, law-crime-and-justice, perth-6000, wa

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