National cannot investigate themselves

The narrow Terms of Reference of the inquiry into Judith Collins’ conduct will do nothing to clean up our political system, the Green Party said today.

Today, John Key released the very narrow Terms of Reference for a Government inquiry. The inquiry will only look into the allegations that Ms Collins ‘gunned for’ Mr Adam Feleey while he was the Director of the Serious Fraud Office.

“The narrow Terms of Reference shows that National cannot be trusted to investigate their own potential misconduct,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

“National has chosen to look into the one allegation that was provided to them by their own people, yet conveniently chosen to ignore the many allegations made in the Dirty Politics book.

“John Key once said ‘I won't be Judge Judy and executioner’, but this Terms of Reference shows that this is exactly what he is doing here.

“The inquiry should have been a Royal Commission, not a Government inquiry, and it should have looked into all the allegations against Ms Collins.

“There is ample evidence that Ms Collins may have breached a number of rules and regulations in her conduct as a Minister, yet John Key won’t allow a full investigation.

“He kept Ms Collins in his Cabinet for as long as he could, until he realised how badly this would hurt him on Election Day.

“Now he is trying to smooth over his delay in firing Ms Collins, by launching an investigation that is limited and not fully independent.

“John Key has no interest in ensuring our democracy is clean and transparent; he is only interested in what will happen on September 20.

“The Green Party has repeatedly called for a Royal Commission. The issues raised by these allegations cannot be ignored; they go to the heart of our democracy.

“In Government, the Green Party will instigate a Royal Commission that looks at this issue in full; not just a stop-gap,” said Mrs Turei.

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