Independent Australian senator Nick Xenophon has slammed the Church of Scientology of widespread criminal conduct.

He says the church abuses past members of the flock, defrauds, blackmails, falsely imprisons, and coerces its members into abortions. They’re some explosive claims, but given what we already know about the church they’re probably not too far off the money.

The Church of Scientology says the senator has abused parliamentary privilege by making the comments. Which is exactly what it would say now, isn’t it?

While Mr. Xenophon may not be the church’s best friend right now, I don’t think most people will judge him too harshly for speaking out of turn. I wonder how Tom Cruise and co will feel once we get to the bottom of all this?