Ex-federal speaker Peter Slipper has been forced to apologise to two international students over the content of a text message he blames on jet lag. The former Liberal National MP who left politics in 2013 apologised to the students after suggesting he might have them deported over a fees dispute. The Legal Profession Board of Tasmania upheld their complaint against Slipper over the “indirect threat” and ordered a formal apology. The students hired Slipper for legal work relating to a restraining order but after a dispute about a $650 fee, they parted ways with now the Hobart-based lawyer. “He is very unprofessional, he messages at odd timings and threatens us that he will take action,” the students complained to the legal authority. Slipper sent a text to the uncle of one of the men about the $650 fee after 10 pm on July 15 last year. “I’m inclined to write to the Minister for Home Affairs as I’m not convinced …