WA: Former Hancock housekeeper gave evidence of free will

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2001
WA: Former Hancock housekeeper gave evidence of free will

PERTH, April 12 AAP - Rose Porteous's former housekeeper today denied giving evidence
at an inquest into the death of Lang Hancock to suit the mining magnate's daughter Gina
Rinehart.

Heidi Biddle, who has alleged Mrs Porteous had committed adultery while Mr Hancock
was still alive, today told the West Australian coroner's court she gave her evidence
of her own free will.

WA coroner Alastair Hope is conducting an inquest into the death of Lang Hancock in March, 1992.

Lawyers for Gina Rinehart, the mining magnate's daughter, are arguing that Mrs Porteous
had wilfully murdered her late husband.

Earlier today, Ms Biddle told the court that the wheelchair-bound Mr Hancock had become
very distressed upon learning that his wife Rose was having an affair with Willie Porteous.

Ms Biddle also told the inquest into Mr Hancock's death that Mrs Porteous was a drug-addicted
adulteress who appeared to loathe her rich, old husband and could not wait for him to
die.

Under cross examination by lawyers for Mr and Mrs Porteous, Ms Biddle denied she had
altered statements to suit Ms Rinehart.

Ms Biddle also denied being asked by Ms Rinehart's lawyers to tell the court that Mr
and Mrs Porteous were sexually involved before Mr Hancock died.

"I gave that statement freely because I wanted to say it," she said.

Lawyers for Ms Rinehart have foreshadowed that adverse findings could be made against
four other people, including Mr Porteous.

The inquest is continuing.

AAP lk/sd/hu/sb

KEYWORD: HANCOCK LEAD

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