Lidia Thorpe denies dating former bikie boss and is cleared of wrong doing by senators

Exclusive: Former Greens senator denies relationship with Dean Martin and says she was told by her then party’s lawyers to say she dated him

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Senator Lidia Thorpe has denied she ever dated former Rebels bikie boss Dean Martin and instead alleged she was told by lawyers for the Greens to claim the pair had a relationship.

A Senate privileges committee report into “possible obstruction” of the law enforcement committee – of which Thorpe was once a member – has found she should have declared her links to Dean Martin. However, it found that the former Greens senator did not disclose any of the committee’s sensitive activities and that she should not be found in contempt.