Attorney-General and Solicitor-General clash before Senate inquiry

Political fireworks have erupted at the Senate inquiry into the deteriorating relationship between the nation's two most senior law officers. The inquiry is examining a new rule Senator Brandis introduced in May, requiring that his written permission be given before Solicitor-General, Justin Gleeson, provides legal advice to anyone else in the government. Gleeson says he was not consulted, while Brandis says he was. Today, Gleeson clashed with government members of the inquiry, and revealed in detail how his advice was ignored and misconstrued by the Attorney-General, George Brandis.