Victoria’s corruption watchdog will oversee a police investigation into the leaking of photos of former AFL player and coach Dean Laidley as two more officers were suspended over the matter.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission says it will be “be keeping a close watch” on the investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of images of the 53-year-old former North Melbourne player as he was being interviewed at St Kilda police station a week ago.

It came as Victoria Police announced the suspensions of two more officers over the leaked photos, bringing the total to four.

Victoria Police said the two male senior constables were also expected to be charged with misconduct.

The photos were Laidley’s mug shot and one of him wearing a wig and dress as he was being interviewed by police after being arrested for stalking.

“As part of IBAC’s independent oversight of Victoria Police we have been liaising with police command on the scope of the investigation,” IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich QC said.

“Importantly, Victoria Police has confirmed they are looking at any underlying cultural issues, and how they can build on their work with the LGBTIQ community and ensure their officers have proper regard to human rights.

“While IBAC is satisfied that the investigation scope is sufficient, we will be keeping a close watch on progress, as part of our independent oversight of Victoria Police.”

Victorian Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said earlier on Friday he was angry when he heard about the leak and any officers involved would be disciplined.

He called the behaviour an “act of gross stupidity” which stole media attention from a funeral for one of the police officers killed in the Eastern freeway crash.

Laidley is expected to ask for bail during a court appearance on Monday.

He was arrested outside a St Kilda home on Saturday night and charged with offences including stalking.

The 1996 North Melbourne premiership player was remanded in custody after appearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday.

Australian Associated Press

Victoria’s corruption watchdog will oversee a police investigation into the leaking of photos of former AFL player and coach Dean Laidley as two more officers were suspended over the matter.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission says it will be “be keeping a close watch” on the investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of images of the 53-year-old former North Melbourne player as he was being interviewed at St Kilda police station a week ago.

It came as Victoria Police announced the suspensions of two more officers over the leaked photos, bringing the total to four.

Victoria Police said the two male senior constables were also expected to be charged with misconduct.

The photos were Laidley’s mug shot and one of him wearing a wig and dress as he was being interviewed by police after being arrested for stalking.

“As part of IBAC’s independent oversight of Victoria Police we have been liaising with police command on the scope of the investigation,” IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich QC said.

“Importantly, Victoria Police has confirmed they are looking at any underlying cultural issues, and how they can build on their work with the LGBTIQ community and ensure their officers have proper regard to human rights.

“While IBAC is satisfied that the investigation scope is sufficient, we will be keeping a close watch on progress, as part of our independent oversight of Victoria Police.”

Victorian Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said earlier on Friday he was angry when he heard about the leak and any officers involved would be disciplined.

He called the behaviour an “act of gross stupidity” which stole media attention from a funeral for one of the police officers killed in the Eastern freeway crash.

Laidley is expected to ask for bail during a court appearance on Monday.

He was arrested outside a St Kilda home on Saturday night and charged with offences including stalking.

The 1996 North Melbourne premiership player was remanded in custody after appearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday.

Australian Associated Press

A Melbourne court hearing for a former AFL player charged with perjury has been adjourned with a key witness claiming she was not fit to attend.

Nick Stevens has been charged with giving false evidence to Ringwood Magistrates Court in December, 2014, when he said he did not know the witness.

The issue arose when he was being prosecuted for violence against his former partner Laima McKenna.

The witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was suffering ill mental health after feeling she was the “catalyst” for the violence proceedings, Melbourne Magistrates Court was told on Wednesday.

The witness provided a medical certificate via the Office of Public Prosecutions, stating she would be fit to give evidence in one to two months.

Prosecutor Penny Thorpe asked that the name of the witness be suppressed, citing concerns for her “safety” based on her mental health.

The woman claimed she would not be able to give evidence unless her name is suppressed from publication.

“The witness has contacted our office and indicated how distressed she is and how it’s impacted her potential to give evidence,” Ms Thorpe said.

The court was told the witness felt she got herself involved in the matter and now “feels like a victim”.

Magistrate Ross Maxted accepted her medical certificate, saying a warrant would not be issued for her to appear in court.

However, he said he did not see how it was appropriate to suppress her name from media reporting.

“There is no ground to suppress, simply for embarrassment or distress,” he said.

Mr Maxted criticised the fact the adjournment had been sought on the morning of Stevens’ committal hearing, and not earlier.

He said it was “totally unclear and unacceptable” that the witness had notified she would not be attending, on the day of the actual hearing.

Mr Maxted made an interim order suppressing the woman’s name and adjourned the hearing to June 6.

Prosecutors were also ordered to pay Stevens’ legal costs for the day.

Australian Associated Press