Quite a lot happened in a fiery end to the grilling of Gareth Hales.
Firstly, Hales Jnr admitted that he had met more than once with far-right vlogger Chris de Bruyne at his Sante offices, to discuss both the election and de Bruyne’s business. He also admitted to meeting Morgan C Jonas, a far-right, anti-lockdown figure.
Both of these men were involved in the far-right stunt campaign targeting left-leaning politicians on the campaign trial that this masthead revealed was funded and co-ordinated by Brethren elders. De Bruyne and Jonas also both endorsed Brethren posters and ads that appeared during the election, but Hales Jnr denied having any substantive political discussion with them, instead saying their meetings were all about business.
Independent MP Andrew Gee took us out, questioning Hales Jnr over the strident and regular objections of Liberal MP Ben Small, until Gee accused Small of “running a protection racket for the Brethren”. (Gee later withdrew the remark.)
