Police looking for Slipper diaries: Ashby

Political staffer James Ashby says federal police have searched his parents' Sunshine Coast home for evidence relating to former Speaker Peter Slipper.

James Ashby leaves court in Sydney,

Federal police are reportedly searching a home linked to former political staffer James Ashby. (AAP)

Political staffer James Ashby says Australian Federal Police have been searching his parents' home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast for evidence about former Speaker Peter Slipper.

Mr Ashby in 2012 made sexual assault allegations against Mr Slipper, his former boss, but later dropped the claims.

"They're looking for diary records, photographs, correspondence, notes, telecommunications records, travel records, accommodation records, postal records, receipts, spreadsheets, and newspaper articles that relate to the diaries of Peter Slipper," Mr Ashby told ABC Radio.

He listed a range of people police were searching for information relating to, including federal minister Christopher Pyne, MPs Mal Brough and Wyatt Roy and reporters from the Nine Network and News Corp Australia.

"There is nothing there that is of any use to them," he said.

"Peter Slipper continues to pursue charges against me for the whistleblowing act of revealing his diary, which later led to charges in Canberra and aided my case."

Mr Slipper was last year found guilty of dishonestly misusing taxpayer-funded taxi vouchers, but earlier this year had his conviction set aside following a successful appeal.

An AFP spokeswoman confirmed search warrants were executed at Sunshine Coast properties on Tuesday, but would not give further details.

"As these warrants relate to an ongoing investigation, it is not appropriate to comment further," she said in a statement.

Mr Ashby, who had worked as Mr Slipper's media adviser, earlier this year revealed he had begun working as a pilot for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.

Labor MP Graham Perrett said there were serious questions to be answered by senior Liberals.

"Mal Brough, Christopher Pyne and Wyatt Roy have all tried to run a mile from their roles in this," he said.

"It's time they each came clean once and for all about what their roles were."


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Source: AAP



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