| Paul Mullett fails in bid to grill Christine Nixon before trial begins |
Former Police Association boss Paul Mullett has failed in a bid to have former police commissioner Christine Nixon questioned on the stand by his legal team before their bitter dispute proceeds to trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria in March next year.
Former deputy commissioner Kieran Walshe and Superintendent Wayne Taylor are also defendants in the civil proceedings initiated by Mr Mullett, who alleges he was the victim of a "malicious" campaign by some of Victoria's most senior police.
Supreme Court justice Forrest also refused an application to cross-examine Mr Walshe and Mr Taylor about affidavits they had previously sworn in the case.
All three defendants have denied allegations of wrongdoing and insisted they acted in good faith, according to court documents.
They will be required to respond to questions from Mr Mullett's lawyers in sworn affidavits.
Last month, Fairfax Media revealed that Mr Mullett had already rejected a financial offer from the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office on behalf of Victoria Police, in what appears to be an attempt to avoid a Supreme Court trial next year that could further embarrass the force.
Mr Mullett, along with former assistant commissioner Noel Ashby, was charged over allegedly providing false evidence under oath to the Office of Police Integrity in 2007 and perverting the course of justice by tipping-off of a suspect in a high-profile murder investigation.
The cases against both officers collapsed, but Mr Mullett never returned to his role.
In Supreme Court documents, Mr Mullett claims a "malicious prosecution" by former police commissioner Christine Nixon and several other senior police cost him almost $2 million, including $799,360 in lost salary and superannuation, and $203,169 in lost investment earnings.
Mr Mullett alleged that Ms Nixon "had determined to destabilise his standing with members of the Police Association and if possible cause him to be removed from his office as secretary of the ... association and as a member of Victoria Police in order to remove and eliminate his vigorous opposition to her industrial relations plans."
The former Police Association secretary had been a vocal critic of Ms Nixon's management style and the pair had repeatedly clashed over resourcing and policy issues.
Mr Mullett declined to comment outside the Supreme Court, while Ms Nixon did not attend.
A final directions hearing has been scheduled for January 29.
chouston@fairfaxmedia.com.au
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