handwriting expert called in by police to examine Craig Thomson evidence
STEVE LEWIS
The Daily Telegraph
February 01, 201311:00PM
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Federal Police carry evidence from the office of Craig Thomson’s electorate office. Picture: Waide Maguire Source: The Daily Telegraph
THE country’s pre-eminent handwriting expert is helping Victorian police as they try to prove fraud charges against Dobell MP Craig Thomson.
It is understood Paul Westwood, a principal of Forensic Document Services, has been hired to provide expert advice on key aspects of police evidence, including Mr Thomson’s handwriting and samples of his fingerprints taken when he was arrested on Thursday.
It appears Mr Thomson may be able to defer a court hearing – set down for Wednesday – until later this month.
Parliamentary rules allow federal MPs and senators to avoid appearing in court if parliament is sitting within five days of the court date.
Mr Thomson is scheduled to appear in a Melbourne court on Wednesday, during which the 149 fraud charges laid by police will be tabled.
If the matter is deferred, Mr Thomson would likely appear in court about a fortnight later.
It is understood police will use Mr Westwood’s forensic expertise to try to prove Mr Thomson spent more than $7000 of Health Services Union funds to pay for prostitutes and escort services while he was the union’s boss between 2002 and 2007.Mr Thomson told former Sydney broadcaster Michael Smith in August 2011 that his signature had been forged – as he fended off claims of using HSU funds to pay for hookers.
But Mr Westwood at the time said he had “not found any evidence” of forgery when asked by Mr Smith to examine samples of the MP’s handwriting.