Capalaba MP Don Brown apologises to Bowman MP Andrew Laming over tweets

Earlier this month Mr Brown revealed in Parliament that Mr Laming was suing him for posting on the social media platform in relation to the definition of upskirting.

He told Parliament the issue concerned a woman bending over with her G-string exposed at which point Mr Laming took a photograph without her consent.

On Friday Mr Brown made an apology on his Twitter account:

"In March 2021, I published two tweets about Andrew Laming MP.

"I accept that the claim made about Mr Laming in those tweets were false and defamatory.

"I unconditionally withdraw those claims and apologise to Andrew Laming for the hurt and offence caused to him by reason of my conduct."

Mr Brown told Parliament on June 16 during a Defamation Bill debate: "I really do not want to be bothered fighting over the semantics of upskirting - whether taking photographs of underwear above shorts or under shorts is upskirting,"

Mr Laming declined to comment on Mr Brown's apology.

Labor senator Murray Watt also apologised to Mr Laming on Twitter last Friday.

Mr Watt tweeted a statement saying: "In March 2021, I published 3 tweets about Andrew Laming MP. I accept that the claims made about Mr Laming in those tweets were false and defamatory. I unconditionally withdraw those claims and apologise to Mr Laming for the hurt and offence caused to him by my conduct."

Mr Laming said he welcomed Mr Watt's apology.

In May Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young issued a correction and apology about comments she made over the alleged upskirting incident.

Ms Hanson-Young tweeted a statement saying: "I had understood from reports in the media that Mr Laming had taken a photo of a young woman bending over in a skirt.

"On Saturday May 1st, I made comments on the Today Show that reflected these reports.

"I have since been informed that the police received a complaint that the woman was in fact wearing a pair of shorts, not a skirt. I stand corrected, and I apologise."