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C. PORTER’S Body LANGUAGE, Analysed

 In Featured Media

For the the Daily Mail, body language and speech expert Michael Kelly summed up Christian Porter’s body language and speech presentation – in his media conference denial of rape allegations – as Aggrieved, Righteous and Dejected.

Christian Porter was in ‘deep distress’ as he tearfully denied raping a teenage girl in 1988 and was ‘not trying to hide anything’ during his press conference, body language expert says

  • Christian Porter outed himself as minister accused of historic rape allegations
  • Broke down as he categorically deny accusations and refused to stand down
  • Body language and speech expert claims Mr Porter came across as genuine
  • Michael Kelly added Porter came across as aggrieved, righteous and dejected

By KYLIE STEVENS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
PUBLISHED: 01:52 AEDT, 4 March 2021 | UPDATED: 02:07 AEDT, 4 March 2021


Historic rape accusations have taken a heavy toll on Christian Porter but his emotional denial was genuine, a body language expert claims.

The attorney-general outed himself as the federal minister accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in 1988 to insist it never happened and he will not stand down.

In an extraordinary press briefing in Perth on Wednesday, a shattered and tearful Mr Porter said he had been subjected to a ‘trial by media’.

Reporters then grilled him over the allegations which were investigated by police who closed the case on Tuesday concluding there was insufficient evidence.

The 50-year-old former public prosecutor confirmed he attended a debating competition at Sydney University with his accuser when he was 17 and she was 16.

But he categorically denied ever even sleeping with the woman, who has since taken her own life.

Body language and speech expert Michael Kelly saw a politician under heavy duress, while keen to show the public he had nothing to hide.

He said the politician came across as a man who is aggrieved and righteous, but also dejected.

‘He gave a genuine presentation of himself and his ideas. He was very measured,’ Mr Kelly told Daily Mail Australia.

‘But you can tell it has taken a heavy toll on him.’

Mr Porter ended six days of speculation over the accused’s identity after the woman’s allegation was published in the media without naming the cabinet minister.

A body language and speech expert for more than 20 years, Mr Kelly could see and hear Porter’s deep distress and anguish as he battled to maintain composure through some tell-tale signs.

‘His eyes were watery and red, his voice was trembling and he had trouble taking intakes of breath about five minutes in,’ he said.

Attorney General Christian Porter (pictured) grimacing during the press conference signaled elements of anger, according to a Body language and speech expert

He added Mr Porter showed a wide range of emotions during the gruelling 30-minute press conference.

Mr Porter’s red eyes tearing up were the sign of a man who was harrowed and pained while his grieved facial expression signaled remorse, regret, and resignation.

Facial expressions of him grimacing signalled elements of anger while the gesture of Porter holding his hands out suggests he’s doesn’t wanted to hide anything, Mr Mr Kelly added.

Footage of Mr Porter holding his hand on his heart conveys an expression and of the words’ coming from the heart’ while a photo of with his eyes cast downward and pressed lips signal remorse.

Mr Porter said he asked Prime Minister Scott Morrison to take some mental health leave to recover from the ordeal.

‘He’s a public figure accused of some serious allegations and that stress showed through his words, body language and gestures,’ Mr Kelly said.

‘He showed to be not hiding or covering anything up.’

His open arms signal Christian Porter does not wanting to hide anything, according to Mr Kelly

Body language and speech expert Michael Kelly (pictured) saw a politician under heavy duress when he watched Christian Porter’s media conference on Wednesday

Mr Kelly also addressed Mr Porter’s emotional and poignant message to the family of his deceased accuser where he acknowledged their terrible loss.

He added they didn’t deserve the frenzied politicisation in the past week of the circumstances of her death.

Mr Porter pleaded with the family to understand why he was refuting their loved one’s claims of historic sexual assault but didn’t want to impose anymore on their grief.

‘His pained, facial expression and flushed facial skin (lack of blood to the face) signal that his vitality; some of his life force has been ‘drained’ due to the accusation,’ Mr Kelly said.

‘Throughout the delivery, there was a thin, tremulous voice signalling remorse, resignation, sorrow and empathy (for the family) about the incident.’

Christian Porter’s hand across his heart conveys an expression and of the words’ coming from the heart’, Michael Kelly told Daily Mail Australia

Mr Porter took sharp intakes of breath while he was grilled by reporters after giving his statement.

‘He appears frustrated about the position he’s in but he doesn’t shut them down,’ Mr Kelly said.

‘His face showed no inconsistencies. If you look at the whole piece, it all fits, there was nothing out of place.’

‘He’s earnest in trying to do his job.’

Michale Kelley said Christian Porter’s eyes cast downward and pressed lips signal remorse.

Mr Porter has refused to stand down from his position.

‘If I stand down from my position as Attorney-General because of an allegation about something that simply did not happen, then any person in Australia can lose their career, their job, their life’s work based on nothing more than an accusation that appears in print,’ he said.

‘My guess is if I were to resign and that set a new standard there wouldn’t be much need for an attorney-general anyway because there would be no rule of law left to protect in this country.

‘So I will not be part of letting that happen while I am attorney-general and I am sure you will ask and I will state to you, I am not standing down or aside.’

Mr Porter announced he had split from his second wife Jennifer (pictured together) – who is 13 years his junior – in January 2020.

 


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