Shearer claims GCSB wiped recordings of Key discussing Dotcom

UPDATE / Oct 12: GCSB head Ian Fletcher overnight released a statement saying "exhaustive inquiries of its records and its IT systems and can find no audio-visual recording of the prime minister's visit" on February 29.

"An investigation has commenced within GCSB as to whether there has been any unauthorised disclosure of information, and if so, its source."

This morning, Labour leader David Shearer insisted "multiple sources" had told him a videotape existed of John Key discussing Kim Dotcom, and the GCSB's involvement in his case - but he acknowledged he had not seen the case.

Mr Shearer alleged to TV3's Firstline that a number of GCSB staff had the video on their hard drives, but their hard drivers were removed and wiped by other GCSB staff.

John Key has acknowledged he talked to GCSB staff in the agency's cafeteria on February 29, but has no memory of mentioning Kim Dotcom.

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Labour: taped quip could prove Key knew about Dotcom spying before Sept 17

Oct 11: Labour is alleging a video might exist of John Key making a speech to GSCB staff on February 29 - during which he makes a quip about Kim Dotcom.

The Prime Minister has said he remembers a GCSB briefing on that date, but does not recall mention that was made of Kim Dotcom during a briefing.

Mr Key says the first he was aware of the spy agency's involvement in the Megaupload case was September 17.

“There is one way to clear this up. The Prime Minister should give the green light to the agency to release any and all unclassified material about the visit and John Key’s comments to staff," Labour leader David Shearer says.

“It was during the visit on February 29 that the Prime Minister was briefed by GCSB about their surveillance of Kim Dotcom. He claims to have no memory of that. Previously though, he had told New Zealanders that he did not know about the surveillance till September 17. The agency’s review of its handling of the Dotcom case says that ‘no written record was kept of the meeting’. But it is silent on whether any audio-visual record exists of the Prime Minister’s visit.

“I’m calling on GCSB to confirm whether that audio-visual material still exists. If it simply shows John Key addressing staff then it should be publicly released because it is unlikely to contain classified information.

“At the very least, the material must be handed over to the relevant authorities who are looking into the case. I have also today made a request to the GCSB under the Official Information Act for any such material."

There is now no alternative but to have a full, independent inquiry, Mr Shearer says.