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Correction: Tizard NOT Yet Decided To Return To Parliament
EDITOR'S NOTE: Tizard Has NOT Yet Decided To Return To Parliament
Earlier today, Scoop received a press release purporting to be from Judith Tizard. The press release announced her return to Parliament in wake of the resignation of former MP Darren Hughes over allegations made against him of a sexual nature.
The press turned out to be a hoax, and came from a newly registered Gmail account similar to the personal account used by Ms Tizard.
Scoop made an error in publishing the release, and for this we have apologised sincerely to Ms Tizard. After being informed of the release's falsehood we acted quickly to take it down. Our technicians have furthermore looked through the particulars of the e-mail, and the attached document as it was sent to us, but this has been to no avail – the identifying features 'scrubbed'.
As we understand it, Ms Tizard has made a complaint to Gmail about the unauthorised use of her name and the account has been de-activated.
For those interested in the specifics of the fake press release, it is published again here:
Press release:
April 1 2011
Judith TizardJudith Tizard To Accept Vacant Parliamentary Seat
Judith Tizard will today advise the Labour Party of her decision to enter parliament “I would like to formally announce that I have decided to re-enter parliament on the Labour Party List, and fill the gap left by today’s official resignation by Darren Hughes.”
Advertisement - scroll to continue reading“I would like to wish Darren all the best for the future, and sincerely hope that the media stops playing the part of judge jury and executioner”
“I look forward to serving out the remainder of the parliamentary term with my Labour colleagues”
ENDS
Earlier today, David Farrar of Kiwiblog made an (April Fools') prediction that Judith Tizard was planning a return to Parliament, with an announcement "expected later today".
As yet, no official announcement has been made, although the New Zealand Herald reports that the former Labour Minister intends to make an announcement this Sunday.
ENDS
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