Former Liberal leader Isobel Redmond has been accused of misleading Parliament, with Speaker Michael Atkinson asked to rule on whether she has breached parliamentary privilege.

Attorney-General John Rau this morning asked Atkinson to consider whether Redmond had a case to answer, after she used Parliamentary privilege to accuse South Australian electoral commissioner Kay Mousley of being “utterly corrupt”.

If Atkinson rules she has a case to answer, the Government will move that a privileges committee be established to rule on the matter.

The worst case scenario – and most unlikely – is that she would be evicted from Parliament. More likely, if the case is proved, she would be directed to apologise and suspended if she refuses.

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Rau told Parliament today that he believed Redmond had knowingly and deliberately misled the House.

He said he had written to Redmond, asking her to substantiate her allegation but she did not provide any additional information.

“Mr Speaker, this allegation is of a serious nature and was expressed as a considered opinion during an address to this House,” Rau said. “However, no information has been provided to substantiate it and I ask you rule on a prima facie case of breach of privilege regarding misleading the House.”

Atkinson said he would take the matter on notice, seek advice and report back to the house.

In his letter to Redmond, tabled today, Rau asked her to provide him with “full particulars in support of your allegations”.

“I assume that I need not remind you of your reporting obligations under the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2012.”

In reply, Redmond wrote: “I am pleased to advise you that your assumption is absolutely correct: you need not remind me of my obligations under the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2012.”

Redmond made the allegation in a speech to Parliament two weeks ago.