French Spies, Kiwi Spies and Private Eyes

Monday, 2 October 2006, 7:30 pm
Article: Kevin List

Today's post-cabinet press conference would have been pleasing to those of a Mickey Spillane/John Le Carre bent. Prior to answering questions the Prime Minister explained at some length why the current New Zealand government would not be trying to hunt down an alleged French saboteur supposedly involved with the Rainbow Warrior bombing. The alleged saboteur, Gerard Royal, has attracted attention in France due to the fact he is the brother of Segolene Royal , who is a contender in next year's French presidential elections.

Another earlier scandal involving foreign operatives and New Zealand soil – the 1970s Sutch case – was also a topic brought up due to the fact this cold war mystery is being raked over again – this time by a former SIS operative who has written a book on the affair. The Prime Minister was rather less than impressed by the former NZ intelligence operative's foray into print.

The Prime Minister saved her sternest words of disapproval though for the private investigators employed by the Exclusive Brethren to dig dirt on Labour cabinet ministers including herself. These individuals had a 'credibility' problem in the Prime Minister's opinion. Both of the private investigators involved were former policeman one of whom, Lew Proctor, according to the Sunday Star Times, left the police force after being involved in a fracas with his fellow officers.

Listen to the Prime Minister discussing legal issues around the Rainbow Warrior affair, being tailed by private investigators and spies flogging their memoirs for cash

Scoop Streaming Audio: PM's press conference 02.10.06

Click here to download file (mp3)

ENDS

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