Banks suppressed Police statement

Written By: - Date published: 7:40 am, October 17th, 2012 - 48 comments
Categories: crime, john banks, john key, police - Tags: ,

Remember how Banks’ Police report came out and the statement he gave to the Police was blanked out? And remember how Banks said it was the Police’s choice, not his? Yeah, well that was a lie. Even on the most generous reading of Banks’ words, he was trying to mislead the media. What’s Key’s rule? “A Minister who lies or misleads about his actions would lose his confidence”

So, guess what Key thinks now that we know Banks lied when he said that the choice to blank out his statement was made by the Police, not him? That’s right, he doesn’t give a damn and hasn’t bothered to the facts from his minister:

GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in Hon John Banks; if so, why?

Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) : Yes; because he is a hard-working Minister.

Grant Robertson: Is it still his policy, as he told media on 30 April this year, that a Minister who lies or misleads about his actions would lose his confidence as Prime Minister?

Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Yes.

Grant Robertson: Does he think Mr Banks has met this standard, after he told the New Zealand Herald on 14 September that the police were responsible for his witness statement being withheld when, in fact, it was he who asked for it to be withheld?

Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I have no knowledge of that. That is a matter for the Minister.

Grant Robertson: I seek the leave of the House to table a letter from David P H Jones QC, Mr Banks’ lawyer, to the New Zealand Police, dated 10 August 2012, which says that disclosure of any material relating to Mr Banks is opposed.

Another point: that letter from Banks’ lawyer, the Police would have had to get Banks’ permission to release it under the OIA. So, Banks knew it was coming out. Indeed, from the moment that Banks said he had nothing to do with withholding the Police Statement anyone with any sense knew that Banks’ communication with Police about releasing his Police Statement would be coming out eventually.

Yet, Key claims to have no knowledge of it. Is he lying? If not, why wasn’t Key briefed? This is just basic political management. When a problem is coming, you have to get your ducks in a row. Is it that the last few weeks have taught him nothing about the need to be informed about his responsibilities? Or is it that he, like Banks, is lying?

48 comments on “Banks suppressed Police statement ”

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  1. captain hook 1
    17 October 2012 at 7:44 am

    Answer me this Kweewee?
    Is it ok for Binky to be a liar if he is “hard working”?

  2. toad 2
    17 October 2012 at 8:08 am

    Interesting response from Key to Question re Banks in Parliament yesterday:

    11. GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in Hon John Banks; if so, why?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) : Yes; because he is a hard-working Minister.

    The standard response to this sort of question has always been a “competent and hard-working Minister” – until now.

    • Pascal's bookie 2.1
      17 October 2012 at 8:22 am

      And how does this work:

      Grant Robertson: Does he think Mr Banks has met this standard, after he told the New Zealand Herald on 14 September that the police were responsible for his witness statement being withheld when, in fact, it was he who asked for it to be withheld?

      Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I have no knowledge of that. That is a matter for the Minister

      The only knowledge needed, is provided in the question. And what is ‘a matter for the minister’?

      he says that lying or misleading is grounds for him losing confidence, but presented with documented evidence of misleading behaviour, it all melts away to be somehow something, what the fucking fuck. makes no sense.

      • mike 2.1.1
        17 October 2012 at 12:06 pm

        “I have no knowledge of that.” is clearly just another ‘I haven’t read that report and you can’t make me read it’ response.

        But “That is a matter for the Minister.” is weird. it’s like he’s saying ‘I don’t know anything about that, go talk to John Banks.’ But saying that the question of whether or not John Banks has met his standards is a matter for John Banks is surely kinda bullshit.

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1
          17 October 2012 at 3:13 pm

          Complete and total BS but it’s what National have been feeding us since 1936 so they’re probably expecting us to keep believing them.

  3. The Baron 3
    17 October 2012 at 9:16 am

    I find it equally entertaining and bewildering that Labour has managed to overshadow this legitimate set of concerns (no banks fan, me) with the GCSB tape fiasco.

    Shearer’s hamfistedness on the mythical tape has pushed banks off the front pages all together – and try as hard as you like, Eddie, but it seems everyone has moved on.

    When you left-tards finally realise that you’ve placed an utter mong in charge of the Labour Party, this country might finally get the opposition it needs and deserves.

    Til then, I’m gonna laugh out loud at yet another shot in Shearer’s own foot.

    • Lanthanide 3.1
      17 October 2012 at 9:22 am

      Yes, this whole GCSB tape thing has been handled appallingly, and with bad timing.

      I was hoping the WINZ kiosk fiasco would push it off the radar, but looks like that story has gone to ground for a couple of days.

      • aerobubble 3.1.1
        17 October 2012 at 12:06 pm

        There was someone at the GCSB who noticed the camera and called the opposition leader to give him a heads up. Now obviously that means there is a morale problem in the GCSB minister for that government department should be called to account for their hands off attitudes. Key has so obviously failed to protect NZ.

    • tc 3.3
      17 October 2012 at 9:33 am

      ‘When you left-tards finally realise that you’ve placed an utter mong in charge of the Labour Party,’

      You mean Mallard and the gutless turncoats within the party who value their comfy seats more than returning to the treasury benches by electing a competant proven performer, oh those left-tards.

      Yup.

  4. Lanthanide 4
    17 October 2012 at 9:20 am

    Clearly, as in the Kim Dotcom case, Key has instructed his underlings to handle any and everything relating to John Banks, and to keep him in the dark, so he can correctly claim to have no knowledge of what’s going on.

  5. Tom 5
    17 October 2012 at 9:25 am

    Someone should print the home-page image of this thread as a wall poster.

    It takes me back to the 60’s .. “Go ask Alice ! Feed your head !”

    from Jefferson Airplane’s

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Rabbit_(song)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Airplane

    Someone is probably writing a thesis on it these days,
    and missing all the fun.

    If the economy tanks, we might all be going back to the 60s before long ..

    Hey man, they were good times.

    Banks ? Does anyone take him seriously any more ?

    I feel sorry for his kin.

  6. LBC 6
    17 October 2012 at 9:27 am

    Blame Remuera for foisting this lying cretin on us. Banks works hard like Key not to remember anything and lives in the hope that one day the sky won’t fall on his head.

  7. Tiger Mountain 7
    17 October 2012 at 9:32 am

    Key is playing a version of “don’t ask, don’t tell, and especially don’t read reports”. He has convinced himself at least that slippery is acceptable.

  8. ianmac 8
    17 October 2012 at 9:49 am

    Not sure that the tape thing is dead. Key admitted yesterday that there was a camera on a tripod and there was a cameraman to operate it in the cafeteria. Peters reckons that the camera was rolling. GCSB say there was no camera and they cannot find a cameraman who took a film or video. There were 100 people in the cafeteria. It was true or fiction. You decide.

    • freedom 8.1
      17 October 2012 at 10:31 am

      maybe i heard it wrong but didn’t Key also say (outside the House) the GCSB had no notes from the briefing on Feb 29 ???

      • insider 8.1.1
        17 October 2012 at 10:34 am

        @ ianmac – they’ve accepted a still camera was present.

        @freedom I heard him say he wasn’t given notes or a copy of the presentation

        • ianmac 8.1.1.1
          17 October 2012 at 10:44 am

          @Insider. Why would a still camera be mounted on a tripod? (I do use a tripod when taking careful artistic photos especially in low light but…… )
          Mr Key yesterday agreed that there was a camera on a tripod.

          • karol 8.1.1.1.1
            17 October 2012 at 10:59 am

            PS: This seems to be in the wrong thread. We have gone off topic. I will shift my comments to the Fran Fracas thread.

    • Chris 8.2
      17 October 2012 at 10:37 am

      I heard Mike Williams the other morning on Hootons Half Hour and he said that he had a friend who used to be in the GCSB and they had cameras in every room of the building.MMmm maybe not the toilets,don’t know.

  9. insider 9
    17 October 2012 at 10:13 am

    I wonder if something similar is going to happen re Darren Hughes’ and Annette King’s statements to the police? There appear to be hints floating around regarding that.

    • McFlock 9.1
      17 October 2012 at 1:42 pm

      I’m sure there are, especially in toryville. What’s Richard Worth up to these days?

    • Treetop 9.2
      17 October 2012 at 1:45 pm

      What happened to Hughes’ and King’s statement to the police?

      The young man got name suppression.

  10. BLiP 10
    17 October 2012 at 1:10 pm

    .

    11. GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in Hon John Banks; if so, why?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) : Yes; because he is a hard-working Minister if I say otherwise he’ll give details on the charter school caper.

    FIFY, John.

  11. starlight 11
    17 October 2012 at 2:11 pm

    One shonkey protecting another shonkey

    Banks baby, charter schools, are going to be hidden from public scrutiny,NRT has
    a write up on that one.

  12. deemac 12
    17 October 2012 at 2:46 pm

    what sort of meeting involving the PM and top officials has NO NOTES taken?

    • Pascal's bookie 12.1
      17 October 2012 at 3:01 pm

      What the fuck is you thinking man

      • Rogue Trooper 12.1.1
        17 October 2012 at 9:06 pm

        I remember. Cable has all been down Hill since Big Tony and The Wire, imo
        (but no Time for vicarious pleasure These Days)
        (when I had more sociopathic leanings Tony was da’ Boss (now his shrink? channelling a little H.Kelly there, imo)

        yet, talk about archetypes? Forgetaboutit!

  13. xtasy 13
    17 October 2012 at 4:11 pm

    Hey – why do you hazzle me. I’m Banksie!

    I’m a good guy! I believe in the good guy up above! Also Adam was my forefather, he was created out of clay. I read the good book every day. I know the 10 commandments.

    Nothing to fear, nothing to hide! What was it again? Don’t remember. Well who cares?

    I’m fine, I’m all right. I fear nothing, as I have a good, strong friend. “Johnny Sunny Eternal Smiley out of my A**e” will look after me. I have my warm seat and will vote for him and his government, no matter what!

    Yes Banksie:

    “Bovine spongiform encephalopathy or the human version”:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_spongiform_encephalopathy

    “Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease, CJD”:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creutzfeldt%E2%80%93Jakob_disease

    “Holes in the brain” stuff.

    That is what they call it. That is my diagnosis. Rgds –

    Your doctor

    No more xtasy for you today!

  14. Jenny 14
    17 October 2012 at 4:48 pm

    I know nuff-ink!

    Does John Key know nothing at all, about anything?

    Does he live in a daze where he sees everything but remembers nothing?

    John Key though he looks more like Colonel Klink, in his behavior is more like Sergeant Shultz.

  15. Jenny 15
    17 October 2012 at 5:25 pm

    Grant Robertson: Does he think Mr Banks has met this standard, after he told the New Zealand Herald on 14 September that the police were responsible for his witness statement being withheld when, in fact, it was he who asked for it to be withheld?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I have no knowledge of that……

    Hey John, How about opening up a newspaper once in a while?

    Be careful. Keep bleating about how ignorant you are of everything, Gerald Brownlee is right behind you looking over your shoulder.

  16. captain hook 16
    17 October 2012 at 5:36 pm

    the more he shouted fire fire.
    the more they shouted liar liar!

  17. Penny Bright 17
    17 October 2012 at 10:50 pm

    http://www.cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/2.50

    Conduct of Ministers

    2.52A Minister of the Crown, while holding a ministerial warrant, acts in a number of different capacities:

    in a ministerial capacity, making decisions, and determining and promoting policy within particular portfolios; in a political capacity as a member of Parliament, representing a constituency or particular community of interest; in a personal capacity.

    2.53 In all these roles and at all times, Ministers are expected to act lawfully and to behave in a way that upholds, and is seen to uphold, the highest ethical standards. Ultimately, Ministers are accountable to the Prime Minister for their behaviour.

    ______________________________________________________________________________

    GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in Hon John Banks; if so, why?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) : Yes; because he is a hard-working Minister.

    Grant Robertson: Is it still his policy, as he told media on 30 April this year, that a Minister who lies or misleads about his actions would lose his confidence as Prime Minister?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Yes.

    Grant Robertson: Does he think Mr Banks has met this standard, after he told the New Zealand Herald on 14 September that the police were responsible for his witness statement being withheld when, in fact, it was he who asked for it to be withheld?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I have no knowledge of that. That is a matter for the Minister.

    Grant Robertson: I seek the leave of the House to table a letter from David P H Jones QC, Mr Banks’ lawyer, to the New Zealand Police, dated 10 August 2012, which says that disclosure of any material relating to Mr Banks is opposed.

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10833914

    “Detective Inspector Mark Benefield, who led the investigation, said: “I … enclose the statements of those witnesses who authorised disclosure.” Mr Banks’ statement was not included.

    Police chief media adviser Grant Ogilvie said police sought permission from those interviewed before releasing statements. “The disclosures that were made were based on consent of those asked. That includes Mr Banks.”

    Mr Banks said it was the police who decided keep his statement under wraps.

    Press secretary Shelley Mackey said: “Mr Banks is not responsible for what the police have released.”

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    Does NZ Prime Minister John Key believe that this apparent LIE from the arguably ‘Not-so-Honourable’ John Banks – Minister of Regulatory Reform; Minister of Small Business; Associate Minister of Commerce and Associate Minister of Education – is behaviour ‘that upholds, and is seen to uphold, the highest ethical standards’?

    Yes or no?

    If NO – how is John Banks – Minister of Regulatory Reform; Minister of Small Business; Associate Minister of Commerce and Associate Minister of Education going to be held accountable to the Prime Minister for his behaviour?

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’

    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com