Bob Hawke's widow responds to Rosslyn Dillon's rape claims
Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s widow Blanche d’Alpuget says that she “didn’t know anything” about shocking claims that Hawke told his daughter not to report an alleged rape as it would negatively impact his career.
Rosslyn Dillon alleged in an affidavit that she was raped by Labor MP Bill Landeryou in the 1980s and Hawke covered it up to protect his career.
As neither man can defend the allegations due to their passing, it is up to Hawke’s widow to defend her former husband.
“I didn't know anything, and I can't say anything,” Ms d'Alpuge said at the launch for her revised book 'Bob Hawke: The Complete Biography' in Sydney's north shore on Sunday, The Australian reported.
“I don't know what she said.”
The 75 year old added that she had been advised by her lawyers to not comment on the incident.
She also referred to advice from her lawyers when she was questioned about Rosslyn Dillon’s request for claims to the Hawke estate.
D'Alpuget said she is worried about her late husband’s daughter after the death of Hawke earlier this year.
“I am very concerned that Rosslyn is grieving so much, I really feel for her,” she said.
Rosslyn claims that when she told her father of the allegations in the 1980s, he said “You can’t go to the police”, according to The New Daily.
“You can't go to the police. You can't. I can't have any controversies right now. I am sorry but I am challenging for the leadership of the Labor Party,” Hawke is alleged to have said.
Rosslyn said that she was “shocked and hurt that her father asked this of me” in the 25-page affidavit.
“I thought to myself I could not make any bigger sacrifice to the (my father’s) political career if I had tried,'' the affidavit continues.
"He asked me to let the matter go for him and I did so for him.
"I am still haunted by the sexual assaults. I feel that I may have had a chance to get over these rapes if I was able to report the incidents to police."