The newly-minted Deputy Leader of the LNP has blasted the government’s response to the Integrity Commissioner’s claim she was called a derogatory term.

Nikola Stepanov yesterday told a parliamentary committee she had been called “a b—h on a witch hunt” by Public Service Commission CEO Rob Setter during a phone call in 2018.

Mr Setter has denied making any misogynistic comments to or about Dr Stepanov.

It led Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to suggest Dr Stepanov and Mr Setter “sit in a room and have a full and frank discussion”.

But Dr Stepanov told 4BC Drive in a statement that she had requested mediation with Mr Setter via the former Director-General DPC on March 8 last year but was “rebuffed”.

“I had requested mediation with Mr Setter via Dave Stewart, who was the former Director General with the Department of Premier and Cabinet last year, by email on Monday 8 March 2021,” the statement read.

“I was rebuffed by Mr Setter that day, I confirm my request was made via email, and Mr Setter’s response was received by email.”

Press PLAY below to hear more on 4BC Drive

Earlier, LNP Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie told Neil Breen he believes the state government is trying to bully the Integrity Commissioner out of a job.

“If you want to talk witch hunts, the only witch hunt being conducted here is against Dr Stepanov, our Integrity Commissioner,” he said.

“Can you imagine an employer telling an alleged victim of bullying just to go into a room and sort it out with the bully?

“That came from the Premier yesterday!”

Press PLAY below to hear Jarrod Bleijie’s comments in full 

Image: Nine News