Former Senate powerbroker Nick Xenophon has been forced to reject allegations he acted inappropriately during a long-term “secret” relationship with a younger party staffer, as the South Australian state election campaign becomes personal.
Jenny Low, who worked in the office of John Darley, who sensationally quit as Xenophon’s representative in the South Australian parliament earlier this year ahead of his expulsion, accused her former partner of “manipulative and controlling” behaviour during their seven-year relationship.
Xenophon, who formally resigned from the federal Senate last week to focus on his bid to return to state politics, released a statement denying Low’s allegations.
“I absolutely reject and am most distressed by any suggestion my relationship with Jenny was abusive or predatory in any way, manipulative or controlling. I deeply regret that we couldn’t make the relationship work,” he said.
Nick Xenophon "deeply saddened" that a failed long-term relationship has been used by Advance SA Party for "blatant political gain" #auspol pic.twitter.com/0RsQxtxIyE
— Political Alert (@political_alert) November 3, 2017
Low, who said her relationship with Xenophon ended three years ago, rejected suggestions she was coming forward for political gain, at the launch of a Darley’s new political party, Advance SA.
She said she had stayed quiet about the relationship until she was approached by a journalist from the Australian newspaper.
“Nick is a person ... people will look at this and make up their own minds about what they think of this,” she said at the party launch, in a press conference published by the Advertiser.
“It is not normal to be in a seven-year relationship with somebody and for his family not to know.
“This is what we are seeing worldwide of men, in positions in power, and the way that they treat young women.”
Low said she would rather the focus be on Advance SA’s bid for upper house seats and said while there were “many other details I could go into” she wanted to keep the focus on politics.
Xenophon accused his former allies turned political rivals of using his failed relationship for “blatant political gain”.
Low said she was 23 years old when she began a relationship with the then 48-year-old Xenophon, and said she had now matured and in hindsight “I can see how some of the things he did are inappropriate”.
