By JO HARRISON
Caption: Richard and Rosemary Torbay chat with Maree Ankers who is keen to get Mr Torbay back performing in the latest pantomime production in Armidale.
FORMER MP Richard Torbay says he is getting on with his life in Armidale away from the rigours of public office, contrary to claims he has been avoiding the public eye.
In his first interview since his shock resignation from NSW parliament in March, Mr Torbay told the Independent he was bemused by last week’s media reports suggesting he is in hiding.
“I’ve been out and about quite a bit, meeting friends for lunch and coffee,” he said.
“I’m enjoying my time off and having a good rest.
“After my resignation I was in Sydney getting my affairs in order and spending time with my son. The rest of the time I have been home.
“I am obviously not going to events via media release or press conference anymore but I have certainly not been in hiding.”
Mr Torbay agreed to an interview on Saturday morning when he was having coffee with his wife Rosemary and some friends at a cafe in Armidale.
The former MP was open and relaxed about being in public and was approached numerous times by people wishing him well.
“When I have been out and about people have been overwhelmingly positive and welcoming towards me, I have lost count of the letters and emails I have received in support, they number in their thousands,” Mr Torbay said.
“Apart from certain sections of the media I think the public have respected the fact that there is a process and as I have always done I will follow that process appropriately.”
After his resignation Mr Torbay was referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) which is currently conducting an investigation.
When asked why he vanished after his resignation for a number of weeks and did not publicly come forward early on to explain his referral to ICAC to the people of the Northern Tablelands, he said he has been advised both by ICAC and legal representatives that he cannot comment during the process.
“I am respectfully doing what I have been advised and I would urge people to wait for the process,” Mr Torbay said.
“I am not a public figure anymore and certain sections of the media are obviously running their agenda and I will just have to let the process take its course.”
