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Trevor Garland, honorary consul to the Solomons. Photo: Jacky Ghossein THE Premier’s office has been accused of ignoring crucial evidence that could have cleared the sacked minister Tony Stewart over allegations that have ruined his career and thrown the State Government into legal turmoil. A witness has told how he was within two metres of Mr Stewart during the charity dinner that ended his ministerial career and is adamant the MP did nothing wrong. But "it was clear” that the person he spoke to in the Premier’s office was not interested in his account, he said. Mr Garland, who co-ordinates a St Vincent’s Hospital program that brings Solomon Islanders to Sydney for medical treatment, said he had been very surprised that his information was ignored. He had expected the Premier’s office to be keen to get his side of the story, given his proximity to Mr Stewart for the entire evening. Mr Stewart was sacked by Premier Nathan Rees after an investigation by barrister Chris Ronalds, SC, agreed with staff member Tina Sanger that he had behaved inappropriately at the dinner on October 22 last year.
Ms Sanger, who previously made sexual harassment allegations against a British academic and has recently been charged with assaulting her husband William, claimed Mr Stewart had humiliated and bullied her at the dinner, forcing her to flee the event in tears.