Gladys Berejiklian's staffer says she knew about relationship with corrupt MP
Gladys Berejiklian's former Chief of Staff has told an ICAC inquiry she did know about her secret relationship with Daryl Maguire, but thought it was over before she was premier.
Sarah Cruikshank was a key adviser to Ms Berejiklian and the pair have known each other since their early 20s.
Ms Cruikshank told the corruption inquiry today Ms Berejiklian told her about her personal dealings with Mr Maguire two years before it was made public, and cast doubt on the timing of it.
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Sarah Cruikshank, a former key adviser to Gladys Berejiklian fronted ICAC today. Janie Barrett
"(She) told me that she had had a historical, and I'm not sure if she used the word relationship, but I'll use it… she disclosed, in the past, with Mr Maguire I think she said relationship," Ms Cruikshank said.
She told ICAC Ms Berejiklian called her in 2018 just after Mr Maguire was exposed as corrupt and quit parliament.
"She said it was before she became premier... she said that a couple of times to me and that's when I found out there had been something in the past," Ms Cruikshank said.
But Ms Berejiklian told ICAC last year the relationship only ended in 2020.
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The former chief of staff said Ms Berejiklian told her about the relationship. Rhett Wyman
"He lost his career, his friends, he lost everything and was in a very dark place and I didn't feel I could stop being his friend at that time," the then-premier told an inquiry in October last year.
"She lied to you?" ICAC Commissioner Ruth McColl asked Ms Cruikshank today.
"That's your word Commissioner, but yes," she replied.
ICAC also heard as premier in 2018 Ms Berejiklian was given a sensitive legal note "to inform the Premier that the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet is providing information to the ICAC..."
READ MORE: Gladys Berejiklian, Daryl Maguire will front ICAC this week
Her former secret boyfriend Daryl Maguire will also be called to answer questions at the corruption inquiry. Rhett Wyman
The note briefed her that government staff had information on Mr Maguire, a note she signed off on while she was still dating him.
Her staff thought the relationship was over they didn't do anything about it.
"I would have sat down with her and gone through with her if there were any implications for her with things she had done," Ms Cruikshank said.
Mr Berejiklian was due to front ICAC on Thursday, but her appearance has been pushed back.
Mr Maguire's appearance has also been pushed from Wednesday to Thursday due to new evidence.
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