22 August 2014

Key must come clean over SIS

John Key must release all the information regarding the declassification of Security Intelligence Service documents that embarrassed Phil Goff prior to the 2011 election, the Green Party said today.

Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Politics outlined a convincing case that either John Key or members of his staff were engaged in assisting WhaleOil blogger Cameron Slater gaining access to SIS documents that embarrassed then Labour Leader Phil Goff prior to the 2011 election. A video of Prime Minister John Key answering questions about the release of these documents in 2011 contradicts claims John Key has made over this matter in recent days.

“The claims that John Key may have politicised an agency responsible for state security are incredibly serious,” Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

“John Key must set the record straight by releasing all the documents and make himself available under oath to the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security.

“The new video evidence from 2011 contradicts John Key’s claim that he knew nothing about the release of the SIS documents concerning Phil Goff.

“Why would he say that he was briefed in 2011 and now claim this wasn’t the case?

“It is essential that those responsible for the Security Intelligence Service are scrupulous about avoiding politicising this organisation.

“New Zealand cannot go back to the days of the cold war where intelligence agencies were manipulated for political ends.

“John Key’s credibility as the Minister responsible for the Security Intelligence Service is now at stake.

“John Key has tried to kick this issue away till after the election by personally attacking the investigative journalist that broke this story.

“This strategy has failed now that an independent authority, the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security, is investigating these claims.

“Given how serious these allegations are it is now vital that the New Zealand public gets to know the outcome of this investigation before the election.

“New Zealand prides itself on a clean and transparent political system and Nicky Hager’s book shows National has eroded that.

“New Zealanders expect and deserve better standards from their governments than that of National under John Key.

“The Green Party will not allow our democracy to be undermined by underhanded smear campaigns on opponents,” said Dr Norman.

In Government the Green Party will appoint a Royal Commission to clean up New Zealand’s politics.

ENDS

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