One Nation senator Rod Culleton has rejected claims he tried to pervert the course of justice, telling a Cairns magistrate he meant no disrespect in seeking a case to be adjourned.
The embattled senator was referred to Queensland police on Tuesday by state attorney-general Yvette D'Ath concerned about a letter the West Australian senator had written to the magistrate.
Ms D'Ath said Queensland's chief magistrate, Ray Rinaudo, had expressed concern the letter's contents could amount to an attempt to pervert the course of justice as well as threatening a judicial officer.
In the letter dated November 15, Senator Culleton refers to a complaint from a person in Herberton apparently facing jail over a bankruptcy matter.
It says Senator Culleton was sitting in the Senate the following Monday and foreshadowed a motion to recall a number of judges for "proven misbehaviour".
"We are watching with interest the conduct of all judicial officers Australia wide after discovering the High Court has not been conducting its business in the name of the Queen," it read.
Senator Culleton "respectfully" asked the matter be adjourned until the constitutional position of all courts was clarified as a safeguard against "a possible injustice".
Ms D'Ath wrote to her federal counterpart George Brandis about the document, raising deep concerns.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson demanded a please-explain meeting with Senator Culleton on Tuesday night, saying the letter was sent without her knowledge or consent.
Later, Senator Culleton issued a statement rejecting suggestions he tried to pervert the course of justice or made threats.
He also wrote to the magistrate saying he meant no disrespect to them or the judicial procedure.
"My letter was written in good faith and in the interest of justice to respectfully request that the matter be adjourned until the issues I raised in my earlier letter are dealt with, with regard to questions that were raised and tabled in the Senate," Senator Culleton said.
