Police dismiss politically-motivated allegation

4 October 2010

A politically-motivated bribery allegation has been officially dismissed, exonerating the Shore Voice team and exposing the desperate electioneering tactics of a rival group.

Waitemata Police conducted a thorough investigation into the allegation and advised the complainant, the Auckland-City based Citizens and Ratepayers [C&R] faction, and its Shore-based political target of the outcome this afternoon.

The Police investigation found that the allegation fell considerably short of a breach of s.125 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 - an official decision which confirmed the Shore Voice position .

Shore Voice spokesman and candidate for the North Shore ward Chris Darby said the week-long inquiry was an unnecessary distraction to the business of campaigning for a better Auckland where smear tactics could be consigned to the trash.

"Shore Voice is a new face on the political scene. We gathered a team of fresh thinkers prepared to work hard and together to build a brighter future for our people, a future in which an open-minded, bi-partisan approach would reach out to our neighbours to the north, south and west of our city.

"We have to do better and we will," he said.

During the investigation it emerged that C&R had never actually lodged a formal complaint, hiding behind a press release and hoping its mudslinging would stick.

"Shore Voice is on the rise and the people of Auckland - and particularly on the North Shore - are a lot smarter than some give them credit for," Darby said.

"The new Auckland Council must be a positive force for good. We will give voice to that."

ENDS

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