Cabinet Secretary to mop up embattled GCSB
"Given that Key is in charge, solely and completely, of this organisation, the buck stops with him."
Featured commentUPDATE:
Prime Minister John Key has refused to rule out possible job losses at the Government Communications Security Bureau after its illegal spying on Kim Dotcom.
Secretary of cabinet Rebecca Kitteridge has been seconded to the bureau for at least three months as associate director.
Mr Key says the appointment is a huge vote of confidence in Ms Kitteridge’s ability to carry out a thorough review of the GCSB, its processes and procedures.
“The simple facts of life are the GCSB made some pretty bad mistakes when it came to this Kim Dotcom case. We cannot, and I will not, tolerate a repeat of them.”
He says bureau director Ian Fletcher is aware of how serious the issues are and he will be working with Ms Kitteridge, who Mr Key expects will file a number of reports, mostly on the inner workings of the GCSB.
He also flagged the possibility of job losses as a result, but says it will be a matter for the director.
“I would expect people will be held account for their actions or inactions.”
Mr Key has also refuted the suggestion he should have been more involved in operational matters, arguing people would be absolutely aghast, terrified and very concerned if he was able to tell the country’s intelligence agency and the New Zealand police not to go ahead with an operation.
EARLIER:
Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Kitteridge will review aspects of the under-fire Government Communications Security Bureau.
The embattled bureau’s director Ian Fletcher has apologised to Prime Minister John Key and internet mogul Kim Dotcom after it was discovered the GCSB was illegally spying on Mr Dotcom.
Department of the prime minister and cabinet ceo Andrew Kibblewhite says Ms Kitteridge will be required to carry out a capability, governance and performance review of the bureau.
Her responsibilities will include:
- Reviewing the systems, processes and capabilities underpinning the GCSB's collection and reporting.
- Building capability and providing assurance to the GCSB director the compliance framework has been reviewed, improved and is fit for purpose.
- Establishing new, specific approval processes for activity in support of police and other law enforcement agencies.
Late last week, Mr Key released Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Paul Neazor's report into the GCSB’s activities.
Mr Key ordered the GCSB to come up with a plan so it can "agree with police and other law enforcement agencies how to confirm immigration status before operations in support of law enforcement activity are undertaken within New Zealand".
The GCSB must also "establish new approval processes in the support of police and other law enforcement agencies”.
Qualified lawyer Ms Kitteridge has been Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council since April 2008.
Her legal focus was on compliance for corporate entities.
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Comments and questions12
arguing people would be absolutely aghast, terrified and very concerned if he was able to tell the country’s intelligence agency and the New Zealand police not to go ahead with an operation.
Given that Key is in charge, solely and completely, of this organisation, the buck stops with him.
Why does John key feel he needs to go and sweet talk the film industry execs? Surely there are plenty of people, even those in the industry here, who can go and talk up the virtues shooting movies in NZ using our cheap labour.
Yes. His performance on Letterman showed American viewers that he's a rather awkward, geeky character and really quite uncool. Can't see hard nosed Hollywood studio execs and producers falling for his smarm the way many NZers have.
Our country's leader has invented this trip so he can run away from the maelstrom that he has created and let subordinates take the heat.
Given that the GCSB reports directly to him and knowing how he keeps his cabinet ministers on a very short leash it's implausible that he didn't know about the surveillance and the planned raid and it's most unlikely that he didn't, in fact, give the go ahead for both these activities.
Bit of window dressing.
John Key is off on a Hollywood ego boosting jolly. The role he personally and alone has in the GCSB will also be ignored while his handbag holding minders hunt down some poor scapegoat. The man lost the plot long ago...well before the dotcom debacle.
Regretfully, more flim-flam from the conductor of all matters.
liberte
Is GCSB Director Ian Fletcher, THE BOSS of GCSB Associate Director Rebecca Kitteridge - who has been seconded from her position as Cabinet Secretary for three months 'to carry out a thorough review of the GCSB, its processes and procedures' ?
How ON EARTH can Rebecca Kitteridge carry out an 'INDEPENDENT' review of the GCSB, in her capacity as an 'Associate Director' of the GCSB - who presumably reports to the GCSB Director, Ian Fletcher?
How 'thorough' can any review be of the GCSB, its processes and procedures' - unless it's carried out by somebody who is genuinely independent?
Which GCSB Associate Director Rebecca Kitteridge, clearly is NOT?
Penny Bright
'Anti-corruption campaigner'
www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
When he says he expects "people will be held to account for their actions or inactions" I guess it goes without saying that he is not including himself.
It is one thing to have ministers not performing in their portfolios but when its comes to a Prime Minister not performing, what do we do? I guess these issues will ultimately get resolved at the next election.
Waste of time -- Paul Neazor has already done his spit 'n' polish for John Key. So why bother with a gentle air-dry when the grease and grime will stlll be evident?
So typical. Politician Key dumps the blame on his officials. Already the Police have made it clear their guy is not going to take the fall for him. Let's see if the spies are prepared to go to the slaughter for their master. Sorry I voted for Teflon John in the last election. Won't make the same mistake next time.
There’s not much an investigation and “review” can do. You don’t want to rattle the cage too hard…you don’t know what will fall out! That’s the problem with these secret spy departments – they will surely have some damaging stuff up their sleeves to use as leverage if push comes to shove (that’s why John Key doesn’t want to touch it). Even a so called lowly administrator will have more than a few pork pies and a penthouse in his brief case especially if he’s told to leave the building. I’m sure Dotcom is hoping they ruffle a few feathers and an unexpected file finds its way to Paul Davison, but I doubt it.
Anyway, more people will get paid big bucks and we will be none the wiser.