Tony Ryall National Police Spokesman

30 October 2003

Why independent investigation needed

Justice Minister Phil Goff should stop fudging and order a full and independent investigation into the failed supervision of Lloyd McIntosh. "Without an independent investigation into weaknesses in the monitoring system we could see more offending by those under 24-hour supervision," says National's Police Spokesman Tony Ryall.

"The current system is pointless if it lets repeat offenders, like McIntosh, commit a serious assault while under 24-hour watch. McIntosh is reported to have said he "nearly raped " a young woman. "Mr Goff is refusing to order an investigation. His solution is to extend 24-hour supervision of repeat offenders from 6 months to 10 years. This law won't work if the supervision doesn't.

"That's why an independent inquiry is needed," says Mr Ryall. "Mr Goff was keen to call meetings of officials after National put the heat on him when McIntosh was first released from jail in June. Now he is anxious to shut down scrutiny of the Corrections Department's role in this horrible affair. "An immediate independent investigation is needed now. It must be released in full to the public of New Zealand. We will not tolerate another snow job.

"I am warning the Government yet again. Failure to act will see more offences committed by people like McIntosh," said Mr Ryall.

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