Prebble’s ‘forgetfulness’ puts SSC in gun

National Party State Services spokesman Gerry Brownlee says Mark Prebble’s apparent ‘forgetfulness’ in the Madeleine Setchell sacking has made a mockery of the State Services Commission and its inquiry into the scandal.

“If Mr Prebble was told by Environment Ministry boss Hugh Logan of David Benson-Pope’s interference two months ago, who else knew?

“Why did it take a reminder from Mr Logan before Mr Prebble suddenly recalled he’d been told about the crucial ‘free and frank’ comments, given that the issue has been a focus of the SSC for some weeks?

“Remember, this was the most salient fact in the whole matter, and Mr Prebble apparently ‘forgot’ about it.

“Did Mr Prebble reveal all the information he had on the issue to his deputy Iain Rennie, who was charged with carrying out the earlier investigation?

“Did Mr Prebble pass the information to anyone else after learning of the improper interference by the Minister in a Departmental appointment?”

Mr Brownlee says with the SSC now conducting a wider inquiry into the issue Mr Prebble should step aside while that investigation is carried out.

“For this inquiry to have any credibility whatsoever, Mr Prebble can’t be involved.

“No doubt there’ll also be questions about whether the public service is well served by an official who appears to have such a faulty memory when it comes to a serious issue that has led to a Minister’s resignation.

“This revelation will send shockwaves through the public service. The man who is supposed to be the watchdog for public service neutrality knew about David Benson-Pope’s interference but simply forgot.”

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