Disgraced MP, wife accused of lying to ICAC over painting

This could well have been Andrew Cornwell's toughest round at the corruption inquiry.

Today was his third time in the witness box.

The former NSW MP and his wife Samantha Brookes are both on dangerous ground - both accused of lying.

The couple were called back to give evidence after their testimony over a painting was all but torpedoed by the man who painted it, Rex Newell, and the developer, Hilton Grugeon, who paid $10,000 for it.

Mr Newell told 9NEWS today he never imagined he’d end up at ICAC for “giving a painting away”.

He said at most the painting would be worth $3000.

Ms Brookes had previously told the inquiry the painting was an unwanted birthday gift which was then re- gifted to Mr Grugeon - a man they barely knew – who then insisted on paying for it.

But the developer told the commission it was no gift, that the painting and the payment were to support Mr Cornwell's campaign.

It was also an illegal political donation.

Ms Brookes rejected the evidence before she was warned by barrister Greg O’Mahoney: “You are covering up previous lies with more lies”.

“That’s absolutely incorrect,” Ms Brookes said.

Mr Cornwell was also put on notice.

“It was a scam, you were fully aware,” Geoffrey Watson SC said.

“That’s absolutely not the case,” Mr Cornwell countered.

The couple both told the commission Mr Grugeon was the one lying.

Lying to ICAC is a criminal offence and is punishable by up to five years jail.