Chch Press belatedly complains to ACC, and then makes a story out of it.

The New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, said today that the Christchurch Press is using dirty tricks and sheer malice to malign the local candidate, Dr Andrew Gin.

“The allegations in The Press this morning about Dr Gin are simply part of a smear campaign by a newspaper which has been exposed for its deceit.

“The story this morning is a response to me yesterday publicly releasing a letter I wrote to The Press explaining why I withdrew from the Leaders’ debate that the editorial staff had organised.

“That follows an editorial yesterday which totally misrepresented my withdrawal from the debate.

“Dr Gin totally denies the allegation but cannot respond because of doctor-patient confidentiality. The Press last night refused to obtain the patient’s permission to release the medical records in this case.

“The Press itself made the complaint to ACC, not in June, but now. That speaks volumes about their malice. The reporter who wrote this story is the same one who tried to persuade my office that I should take part in their debate.

“The long arm of coincidence does not stretch this far. This is a deliberate, malicious and vicious smear tactic.

“We have advised Dr Gin to seek legal redress and make a substantial damages claim against the Christchurch Press.

“New Zealanders will see this piece of gutter journalism for what it is. We would not tolerate a false ACC claim for one dollar – let alone $27, the sum allegedly involved.

“This allegedly happened in June and somehow it has only seen the light of day now. This is part of the dirtiest election campaign New Zealanders have ever seen,” said Mr Peters.
ENDS

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