FED:Rudd takes legal advice of leak claims

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2010
FED:Rudd takes legal advice of leak claims

CANBERRA, Aug 1 AAP - Ousted prime minister Kevin Rudd is threatening to take legal
action over claims he leaked damaging information about his own party - fed to him by
the Liberals - while in opposition.

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer has told News Ltd that as an ambitious Labor
backbencher in opposition, Mr Rudd sought to undermine the ALP's then foreign affairs
spokesman Laurie Brereton by giving information to the media.

Mr Rudd, who eventually took over the shadow portfolio in 2001, wholly denied the claims
on Sunday.

"These are serious allegations ... they are completely and utterly false," a spokesman
for the Queensland MP said.

"Mr Rudd is taking legal advice with a view to initiating legal proceedings on this matter.

"As there are potential legal proceedings, it is inappropriate to provide any further
comment at this time."

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