Rann denies having sex with ex-waitress

South Australian Premier Mike Rann says a married ex-barmaid's claims of having a
sexual affair with him are malicious lies aimed at damaging him politically and
personally.

Mr Rann says he had a "flirty" friendship with former Parliament House barmaid and
waitress Michelle Chantelois but denied ever having sex with the mother of two.
"I have not had sex with her," Mr Rann told reporters on Monday.
Ms Chantelois, in a paid interview with the Seven Network screened on Sunday,
claimed she had a lengthy affair with the premier which included sex on his desk in
Parliament House and at a city golf course.
She repeated her allegations to New Idea magazine in a story published on Monday.
"Last night's Channel Seven program was, in my view, outrageous," Mr Rann said.
"It was based on malice, it was deliberately designed to do me damage both
personally and politically.
"There was a whole series of things that were said on the program that were totally
and absolutely false.
"There were suggestions that I had sex on the floor of Parliament House in my office
between meetings while parliament was sitting.
"Anyone of you who is a political reporter knows how absolutely ridiculous and
absurd that would be.
"The suggestion that I would have sex on a golf course in Adelaide, as a fairly
visible citizen of this state, is totally, absolutely, ridiculous."
Mr Rann, who said he would take legal action against the Seven Network and New Idea,
confirmed having had a friendship with Ms Chantelois.
"I have never ever hid the fact that I had a friendship with Ms Chantelois over
many, many years," he said.
"And that friendship was one that was based on confidences and discussions, it was
funny, it was flirty, just like any other friendship would be.
"But there is a real, real difference between that friendship and what has been said."
Australia's longest serving premier, who faces an election on March 20 next year,
refused to directly criticise Ms Chantelois.
"I am not going to say anything against the person concerned ... I always found her
to be a really good person," Mr Rann said.
"I was incredibly distressed by what I saw on television last night.
"I do regret it if my friendship with her over some years has caused her such
distress and caused her such anguish.
"...It's not for me to speculate but I do not intend to denigrate her in any way
whatsoever."
Mr Rann believed the sex scandal would not impact on his chances of retaining
government for a third term.
"None of this has anything to do with my job as premier, none of it," he said.
Ms Chantelois alleged a sexual fling with Mr Rann from 2003 to 2005. The premier
married Sasha Carruozzo in 2006.
"If Sasha is comfortable with my friendships, then why should anyone else in the
state not be? She was aware of absolutely everything," Mr Rann said.
The premier said lawyers for Ms Chantelois approached two television networks to
sell her story.
"If people are telling the truth, then it should be for free - why would someone
need to be paid to tell the truth," Mr Rann said, describing chequebook journalism
as "despicable".
"I understand that there was a bidding war between two networks, I understand that
lawyers went to two networks to get a bidding war."
Earlier on Monday, Mrs Chantelois' estranged husband Rick Phillips told a media
conference that the relationship between Mr Rann and her had put unbearable pressure
on their marriage, resulting in its collapse.
"It is my opinion that Mr Rann took advantage of my wife's youthful naivety during a
very difficult time in our lives and our marriage," Mr Phillips told reporters in
reading from a prepared statement.
"He has shown that he lacks the personal qualities and character to remain in the
office of Premier.
"I now call for a parliamentary inquiry into the matter."
Mr Phillips is expected to front court next month accused of assaulting Mr Rann
after allegedly hitting the premier in the face with a rolled up magazine at a
corporate function in October.