By Johnathan Paoli
Former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride came under sustained pressure before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, with MPs accusing him of misleading the inquiry about the true nature of his relationship with private investigator Paul O’Sullivan and O’Sullivan’s associate, Sarah-Jane Trent.
The line of questioning cut to the heart of whether McBride had been candid with Parliament about the extent of his contact with private individuals, and whether that relationship influenced sensitive investigations.
MPs put it to McBride that evidence before the committee suggested he was in constant communication with Trent and that he may have shared information with people outside the state.
He rejected those allegations and dismissed claims that O’Sullivan posed a national security threat, saying suggestions that O’Sullivan was an MI6 agent were baseless.
McBride denied sharing classified information, disputed the authenticity of text messages shown to him, rejected allegations
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