http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11913303

See below. The critical statement was from Bill English:
"English distanced himself, saying the decision was one for police. He
told Parliament he was aware an OIA process was underway but he did
not really take part in it."

We nowknow that, at the time he said that, " an advocate for English
pushed hard - successfully - to have the Prime Minister's involvement
scrubbed from the file."

A deliberate lie from the prime minister, donkey deep in the scandal,
but depserately trying to distract.

Meantime, Todd Barclay is still being paid - your taxpayer dollars
being spent to cover up party political issues - and a potential
prosecution.


For the "internet-challenged", this is the article from the link
above:

"Prime Minister Bill English fought to have his police statement over
the Todd Barclay affair withheld from the public despite arguing in
Parliament it was a police decision to keep his involvement secret.

Documents released under the Official Information Act show police
believe English's statement should have been released.

But all mention of English was removed from the file when it was
released to the Herald in March.

It later emerged the Prime Minister had been interviewed as a witness
in the police investigation into allegations Barclay secretly recorded
a staff member, raising questions over how his involvement had been
hidden from the public.

English distanced himself, saying the decision was one for police. He
told Parliament he was aware an OIA process was underway but he did
not really take part in it.

"I am sure that all discussions were conducted consistent with the
Official Information Act, and the police, in the end, have statutory independence. In addition to that, like any other agency, it makes the decisions about what information it releases, taking into account
whatever factors it thinks are relevant."

The new OIA documents show an advocate for English pushed hard -
successfully - to have the Prime Minister's involvement scrubbed from
the file.

Police wrote to the advocate - likely a staff member in the Prime
Minister's office - to ask if English was comfortable having his
statement released, along with a text message that had been taken as
evidence.

The text message was between English and former Southland electorate
chairman Stuart Davie, who later spoke out publicly with his concerns
about Barclay and allegations the MP had secretly recorded staff
member Glenys Dickson.

"We have very serious concerns that a private text conversation
between Mr English and Mr Davie is proposed to be released."

Police were told it should be withheld on privacy grounds as it was a
text message "between two private individuals".

"The text communication involved Mr English as a member of the
National Party, communicating with another member of the National
Party."

Police responded after taking legal advice, saying it had removed some
details but could not "justifiably withhold the entire text or make
any more redactions based on the grounds you have listed".

Police were then told that if the text message was removed, then all
mention of the text message should be removed from English's statement
- if it was released at all.

The release of the OIA was postponed and after repeated requests on
behalf of English, police said the Prime Minister's witness statement
would be withheld along with any text messages.

Canterbury crime prevention manager Inspector Tony Hill - who was
handling it for police - then asked: "Were there are other areas of
concern?"

English's advocate asked: "Can you please clarify if there is any
reference to Mr English in any other material being released?"

When told a statement would be made saying English had been
interviewed, the advocate asked: "Can you explain why the only person
who can be identified from this summary is Mr English?

"No other person involved in the investigation is able to be
identified - why only Mr English? Instead of categorising people, why
don't you refer to witnesses as interested parties?"

The information was released shortly after with no reference to the
Prime Minister.

Police faced questions when it emerged English had been interviewed
and released a statement which said "police consulted those
individuals who provided statements as part of the investigation. The
redacted file that was released took into account the views of the
individuals consulted."

English released the statement when it was revealed he had been
interviewed, showing he had been drawn into the allegations of secret recording.

No charges were laid against Barclay, who is not standing for
re-election.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said last night:

"As we have previously stated, yes the Police contacted Mr English
about releasing his statement and text messages.

"A staff member in the National Party Leader's Office advised them
that whether or not Mr English's statement was released was a decision
for Police.

"Because the text messages were private, and not sent in his
ministerial capacity, it was suggested they should not be released
publicly. The final decision on whether to release the text messages
was a matter for the Police." "

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