Dunne says Speaker has cleared him of misleading committee when he denied leaking GCSB report
PLUS: Mysterious white powder identified.
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says the Speaker has ruled that he did not deliberately mislead the Finance and Expenditure Committee when he denied being responsible for leaking the Kitteridge Report on the GCSB.
The Speaker's office has yet to make an official statement.
The Speaker has dismissed a breach of privilege complaint that had been laid by Labour following the Henry Report into the leaking of the Kitteridge Report, which led to Mr Dunne’s resignation as a Minister, the independent MP said this afternoon.
“I welcome the Speaker’s decision to dismiss the complaint and his ruling that my answers did not deliberately mislead the Finance and Expenditure Committee, nor were in contempt of Parliament.
“Although the Henry Report made no allegation against me, nor challenged any of my evidence, its excessive focus on circumstantial matters led to unfounded inferences and innuendos that have not only damaged my reputation, but also made it impossible for me to continue as a Minister."
The announcement capped a day of drama for the Ohariu MP. Earlier in the day, envelopes containing white powder were sent to his office, and that of Gerry Brownlee.
Police and army teams tested the substance, which was identified as baking powder.
NBR staff
Thu, 11 Jul 2013
Thu, 11 Jul 2013
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Dunne says Speaker has cleared him of misleading committee when he denied leaking GCSB report
30757