SA: New twist in Lewis case may allow police in the door

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SA: New twist in Lewis case may allow police in the door

By Tim Dornin

ADELAIDE, April 11 AAP - South Australia's parliamentary speaker Peter Lewis has leftthe door open for police to examine his office files in their investigation of his businessdealings with a convicted armed robber.

After initial comments that he would not, as speaker, give away parliamentary privilegewhich prevents police going into the house, he said today they could go in, if he gavepermission.

"It is not true that I have prevented the examination of any of my files at ParliamentHouse to discover if there is material relevant to the inquiries which the police areconducting into my affairs," he said.

"I have simply said that the police may not enter the parliament house other than bymy invitation."

However, Mr Lewis did not say if he intended to invite police in.

The latest twist in the controversy surrounding the SA speaker came after his refusalearlier today to comply with Liberal Party calls to stand aside while the investigationproceeded.

Opposition legal spokesman Robert Lawson said Mr Lewis was using his position as speakerof the House of Assembly to refuse to allow police to search his parliamentary offices,in a clear conflict of interest.

But Mr Lewis said no such conflict of interest existed.

Last week, the independent MP confirmed police inquiries into his dealings with convictedarmed robber Terry Stephens but denied any wrongdoing.

He said he cut all ties with Mr Stephens once he found out about the extent of Stephens'prior offences.

One of the allegations levelled by Mr Stephens against Mr Lewis was that he took possessionof about 200 antique and valuable guns.

Mr Stephens obtained the guns when he bought the home and assets of former magistrateand convicted paedophile Peter Liddy and later handed them to Mr Lewis to sell.

But Mr Lewis said he never took possession of any guns.

Today, he renewed claims that the whole issue was a smear campaign against him by disgruntledLiberals after he sided with Labor to bring it to government earlier this year.

"The Liberals smear campaign aimed at me will not break my nerve nor my resolve tocarefully consider the manner in which justice can be done and be seen to be done in thisinstance," he said.

Also today, the deputy speaker and fellow independent Bob Such backed Mr Lewis stayingin the speaker's job.

He said he had heard nothing that would require Mr Lewis to stand aside.

"From what I know of this matter ... I don't believe I've heard anything that wouldwarrant Peter being required to stand aside," he said.

AAP tjd/cjh/de

KEYWORD: LEWIS NIGHTLEAD