Mark Latham’s former girlfriend was seen smiling when she exited a police station, despite claims from her lawyer that she was distressed following her arrest at Sydney Airport.
Nathalie May Matthews, 37, was taken into custody shortly after her flight from Dubai landed at Sydney at about 7am on Sunday.
Authorities subsequently charged Ms. Matthews with accessing or altering restricted data stored in a computer, as well as intentionally recording and distributing an intimate image without consent.
The internationally-traveling businesswoman spent Sunday night detained at Surry Hills Correctional before appearing in Parramatta Local Court on Monday, where she was released on bail.
Her lawyer Daniel Wakin said outside his client had been left ‘distraught’ following the arrest at Sydney Airport.
Ms Matthews, dressed in an all black ensemble, flashed a smile as she left Surry Hills Police Station with her handbag by her side.
Mr Wakin said Ms Matthews had been given ‘proper treatment’ during the arrest.
‘She was distraught, of course… coming home to find yourself arrested,’ he said.
Nathalie Matthews smiled as she left Surry Hills Police Station on Monday
Ms Matthews is an international businesswoman and former adult entertainment creator
Ms Matthews was granted bail after spending the night in custody
Ms Matthews, who did not enter pleas on any of her three charges, will front court at a later date.
In July, Ms. Matthews, a 37-year-old entrepreneur who travels between Sydney and Dubai, sought an apprehended violence order (AVO) against Mr. Latham.
Latham, an independent NSW Upper House MP who previously ran for Prime Minister as the Labor leader, and Ms. Matthews had been involved in a tumultuous romantic relationship for approximately two years.
Mr Latham denied allegations he abused Ms Matthews during the relationship and is contesting the AVO.
The matter remains before the courts and is expected to be heard later this year.
In unrelated circumstances, Mr. Latham was escorted out of Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon, just before the undefeated supermare Autumn Glow secured victory in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap.
Latham has vowed to take legal action after being escorted out of a members-only restaurant at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday afternoon.
The 64-year-old, now a NSW Upper House MLC, was photographed leaving the Grand View Restaurant flanked by two police officers at about 1.45pm, in an image obtained by the Daily Telegraph.
Ms Matthews and Mr Latham had been in relationship for two years
Mr Latham was booted from Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon
It’s understood management asked Latham to leave before contacting police, citing a ban imposed by the Australian Turf Club (ATC).
Late on Saturday night, Latham launched into a blistering online tirade, branding the ATC’s actions ‘outrageous’ and threatening legal action.
‘Thanks to the loving genius who sent this to me. Unlike those I will be suing for the decisions they took today,’ he wrote on X.
He claimed an ATC director had greeted him warmly earlier in the day, making ‘no mention of any problem whatsoever’ with him being on course.
‘I have never been notified of such, had a hearing or process about my rights as a guest of an ATC member, as I was today,’ he said.
Latham argued he had attended Randwick as a guest of a member with a valid pass and revealed he had visited Rosehill Racecourse, operated by the ATC, just weeks earlier.
‘I was at Rosehill four weeks ago as a guest of a member, not a word said all day,’ Latham wrote.
In another post, Latham slammed the timing of the confrontation.
Latham argued he had attended Randwick as a guest of a member with a valid pass
Ms Matthews was granted bail on Monday morning
‘The first I heard of a concern was when an ATC staffer came up during the running of a race (sacrilegious) to say ‘there’s a board decision showing that you’re not welcome here’,’ he said.
‘I replied that can’t be true because less than an hour earlier, one of four ATC directors greeted me warmly, asked for my advice and did not say a word about any such decision.’
He claimed the staffer ‘couldn’t produce any document to support his claim,’ so he refused to leave until police arrived. ‘I didn’t leave because the request was BS,’ he wrote.
The ATC confirmed the incident, saying Latham had breached conditions prohibiting suspended members from attending races.
‘We can confirm an incident occurred regarding a former member who had been subject to disciplinary proceedings,’ a spokesman said. ‘He was asked to leave the racecourse.’
Police later confirmed they were called by ATC officials to remove a 64-year-old man from the members’ area.
‘The man complied and there is no further police action,’ a NSW Police spokesperson said.
The drama follows a 12-month good behaviour bond and suspension placed on Latham’s membership earlier this year.
Ms Matthews spent a night in custody in Sydney
The ATC recently passed a resolution banning suspended or resigned members from attending race meetings.
Latham resigned his membership in June after accusing the club of ‘lousy customer service, incompetent management and a complete lack of collegiality’ in a fiery post on X.
Latham was asked to attend a Racing NSW disciplinary hearing last month after he allegedly verbally abused a staff member at the Rosehill Racecourse in April.
He is still awaiting the results of the hearing.
