High-profile QC to defend whistleblower

A police whistleblower facing misconduct charges has appointed the high-profile barrister who successfully defended Gable Tostee to represent him.

Rick Flori has been listed for trial at the Southport District Court on September 4.

Flori was charged after releasing footage in 2012 that showed a handcuffed man being punched by his fellow officers at a Surfers Paradise police station.

The court heard during a pre-trial mention on Wednesday that Saul Holt QC would lead Flori's defence.

Mr Holt won the acquittal of Tostee in October on a charge of murdering New Zealand tourist Wariena Wright.