Making Plans For Nigel

Perth parliamentarian Nigel Lake was arrested yesterday on suspicion of intention to commit a violent offence.

Police say they spotted the Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Council on the night of February 17 on foot and carrying a baseball bat near the home of his boss, the Clerk of the Legislative Council, Nigel Pratt.

Lake was dressed head-to-toe in black, wearing a hoodie, balaclava and latex gloves when police patrolling the suburb of City Beach stopped him on Drabble Road. Lake was also allegedly in possession of a tracking device.

Further investigations have led police to present Lake with charges of possessing a controlled weapon and a disguise intended for use in connection with committing an offence.

Lake, who had been Acting Clerk until Nigel Pratt was appointed, has been suspended from his $166,216-a-year job pending an appearance in the Perth Magistrates Court on March 18.

The alleged potential victim, Nigel Pratt, stepped into the position of Clerk of the Legislative Council after a lengthy tenure in Tasmanian Parliament and is currently on a salary of $216,138.  Antonino Tati

Photograph: WA Parliament.