By Angela Beswick
The teenage boy who claimed he was assaulted by Robin Brooke at a Fiji resort on New Year’s eve has dropped legal proceedings against the former All Black.
In a joint statement sent out to media this afternoon, Jordan Whittaker and his family said Brooke’s apology had been accepted and that an agreement had been reached which would resolve all issues between them.
According to the statement, all other terms of the settlement are confidential.
In late January, Jordan’s father Brett Whittaker told Campbell Live he was suing Brooke for $200,000.
A writ of summons emailed to Brooke from the High Court in Fiji alleges he walked behind a 15-year-old girl and “placed his hand or hands on her buttocks and groin area”.
Jordan claims he was assaulted by Brooke when he tried to intervene. He says when he met with Brooke a week later, an apology was not forthcoming.
At the time, Jordan’s father said Brooke’s actions were a disgrace, and as a former All Black, his refusal to apologise sends the wrong message.
Brooke declined invitations by Campbell Live to appear on camera. Instead a statement was sent from Brooke’s lawyers, Adams and Horsley, who said Brooke did meet with Jordan, and the boy told them it was “about money”.
Today’s settlement follows a public apology on Tuesday night, for what he calls his “inappropriate behaviour” toward his female victim on New Year’s eve.
It is understood Brooke had a meeting with the girl and her family, where he apologised, and agreed to certain conditions – at the victim’s request.
The conditions asked that Brooke make a public apology, a donation of $3,000 to a charity of the teenager’s choice, reimburse her airfare and pay her family’s legal fees.
Brooke will also undergo counselling.
“I now wish to apologise publicly to her, and her family, for my behaviour in Fiji that night,” Brooke said.
“It was unacceptable and in no way provoked by her, or any other person.”
Brooke says the day after the incident he “genuinely tried” to express to the teen his sincere regret for his actions.
“I can understand how upset she was.”
Brooke says he hopes the meeting and his apology will bring closure to the girl and her family, over an incident of which he says he is “truly remorseful”.
The girl had said Brooke twice grabbed her backside while she was pool-side at a resort at Denarau on New Year’s Eve.
The girl’s 17-year-old Australian friend, Jordan Whittaker, said Brooke grabbed him by the throat and threatened him when he tried to intervene.
3 News