Advertisement

PM says he can’t ‘cancel’ long-time friend now linked to QAnon

Scott Morrison has again struck out at “pretty ordinary” attempts to link him to a man involved in the QAnon conspiracy theory.

Jun 21, 2021, updated Jun 21, 2021
Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (Photo: AAP/Mick Tsikas)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (Photo: AAP/Mick Tsikas)

Four Corners investigated his relationship with old friend Tim Stewart, who is deeply involved in the conspiracy cult.

Stewart bragged about getting the coded message “ritual sexual abuse” inserted into one of the prime minister’s speeches and his wife worked at Morrison’s official residence until late last year.

The pair celebrated New Year’s Eve together and were scheduled to be in Hawaii around the same time.

Four Corners revealed Stewart’s mother and sister were so concerned about his behaviour in relation to QAnon they twice contacted the national security hotline.

The prime minister distanced himself from Stewart, who he has known for several decades.

“We’ve all got friends and we’ve all got acquaintances who have got views that we don’t share,” he told 2GB radio on Monday.

“But you know, what do they expect us to do, to just sort of cancel people just because they have views different to ourselves?

“I don’t support the views of QAnon, I barely even knew what it was until more recently, over the last year or so.”

QAnon is a discredited, far-right, pro-Donald Trump conspiracy theory that believes Satanic and cannibalistic pedophiles run a global child sex-trafficking ring.

InQueensland in your inbox. The best local news every workday at lunch time.
By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement andPrivacy Policy & Cookie Statement. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Morrison accused people of trying to attack him over what people he knew believed and said the investigation was “a bit of a long bow”.

“I haven’t seen Tim for some time, I’m much closer to his wife, Jenny and I are long time friends of her,” he said.

“I just think it’s a bit ordinary to drag other people into it. I’m the prime minister, hold me to account for my views.”

He said people he knew were entitled to privacy regardless of whether people agreed with their views.

“I certainly don’t agree with Tim’s views on those things at all,” Mr Morrison said.

“He’s a (Cronulla) Sharkies support, I agree with him on that, but not on QAnon.”

Local News Matters
Advertisement

We strive to deliver the best local independent coverage of the issues that matter to Queenslanders.

Copyright © 2024 InQueensland.
All rights reserved.