In a dramatic move to get the job done, the High Court this morning ordered police to immediately arrest website publisher Vince Siemer and bring him to court for alleged criminal contempt.

Vince Siemer after being reeased from custody at the High Court today

Mr Siemer faces up to three months in jail and a big costs bill.

He deliberately failed to appear in the High Court at Auckland to answer contempt of court proceedings brought against him by solicitor-general David Collins.

Contempt proceedings were brought after details of a suppressed decision given by Justice Helen Winkelmann in the long-running Urewera 18 firearms raids case were published on Mr Siemer’s website.

He refused to remove the details and Justice Geoffrey Venning was told they were still on the website this morning.

After hearing discussion on whether Mr Siemer had legal aid or had engaged lawyer Evgeny Orlov, inquiries by the court disclosed legal aid had not been granted and Mr Orlov had no instructions.

“This is a serious contempt,” Justice Venning said.

He said it could not be allowed to run on waiting for the Legal Services Agency or Mr Siemer.

“I want Mr Siemer brought to court as soon as possible – today, tomorrow or later this week.”

“A legal representative will be provided and this application for contempt will be dealt with,” the judge said.

Mr Siemer failed to appear the last time the case was called a couple of weeks ago.

As a result of earlier defamation proceedings brought against Mr Siemer by insolvency practitioner Michael Stiassny, the Supreme Court will on December 9 hear Mr Siemer’s argument that the Court of Appeal got it wrong in determining that he should go to jail and for how long. 

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