Barclay debacle recap

Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, June 21st, 2017 - 73 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, bill english, Dirty Politics, making shit up, Media, national, national/act government, same old national, spin, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: , ,

Yesterday Newsroom published a series of articles from an outstanding, in-depth investigation into the allegations that Clutha Southland National MP Todd Barclay illegally recorded one of his staff and constituents during an ongoing conflict, and then subsequently lied about it.

The first article featured a 30 minute interview with the former electorate staffer Glenys Dickson, giving a run down of the history of the case over the last two years.

Some of the issues covered in the investigation,

  • the bullying of staff
  • the secret and probably illegal recording of Dickson including when she was with constituents
  • the resignation of multiple staffers or National Party members from that branch
  • the subsequent threats made to Dickson and others, including family members
  • the payout of Dickson, with an unusually large sum, paid from the Prime Ministers fund, and including a gag clause to prevent Dickson from going public
  • a police investigation into the recording allegation, that Barclay refused to be involved with and that was eventually dropped

Timeline is here.

Over the course of the day, the Prime Minister Bill English and Todd Barclay told various conflicting stories about who said what to whom, and both ended up looking like liars. Initially Barclay directly contradicted English’s story, inferring that English had lied, and then at the end of the day completely reversed this. It’s also looked more and more likely that the PM has been involved in a cover up, and that Barclay has now been thrown under a bus. It’s also possible that the National Party hierarchy has been involved in an illegal attempt to obstruct justice (here, Andrew Geddis compares National to a gang by way of example). Somewhere in amongst all that John Key’s historic involvement came out too.

In the afternoon Newsroom also published that the National Party was investigating the selection process for Clutha Southland, amongst allegations of improper votes and delegate stacking.

Questions have been raised about why the investigation was dropped. The police released their own statement during the afternoon. It now appears that members of the National Party in Southland are calling for the police to re-open the case.

At the end of the day Barclay did a brief stand up press conference where he read a prepared statement that left journalists stunned. In this statement he reversed his earlier position but refused to take any questions.

That’s not even the whole of it. At this stage someone needs to do one of those graphics thingies showing all the strands of the story. Things moved rapidly yesterday, I’m sure more will unfold today.

It’s worth keeping an eye on Newsroom’s website and twitter account.

There’s background and good questions raised by Micky here, here and here.

Natwatch’s round up of media coverage and English’s involvement here.

Update (lunchtime Weds) – 

Police are taking another look at the taping allegations

English is looking at Barclay’s resigning, announcement at 2pm.

The Privacy Commissioner is considering the matter having received a complaint.

Allegations have been made that Barclay made up complaints against Dickson.

Update 2 (1.25pm) – Barclay has stepped down as candidate at this election and will leave parliament at the end of the term.

RNZ live updates.

https://twitter.com/ArrestJK/status/877100229207613441

 

73 comments on “Barclay debacle recap ”

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  1. Ross 1
    21 June 2017 at 7:12 am

    Andrew Little could of course remind voters that any Labour MP whose behaviour resembled Barclay’s would be sacked fairly quickly. Little could also state that any Labour MP found to have stuffed up in the way that Barclay has would be paying compensation out of their own pocket.

    • lprent 1.1
      21 June 2017 at 7:27 am

      Don’t be foolish. Neither Little nor English could do much in this circumstance.

      Barclay can’t be “sacked”. As far as I can see he is just a first term backbench MP elected by his electorate. He has no positions to be sacked from.

      He already has been selected, so I guess that a reselection would be possible (albeit subject to considerable legal issues).

      Realistically Barclay would have to resign or (presumably) there would have to be some agitation from the Clutha-Southland National party members to do the moral and ethical thing. Something that I haven’t generally noticed them doing.

      National voters on the other hand have been known to do nasty things when National puts up pissant clearly inadequate candidates – look at the Northland by-election.

      Alternatively the police could do their job and charge him. If the conviction is sufficient, then the house can expel him.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 9:48 am

        Alternatively the police could do their job and charge him. If the conviction is sufficient, then the house can expel him.

        I believe that all of the charges that may be brought against him carry a two year sentence or more. If found guilty of any one of them then he’s automatically out and can never run again.

        Probably why National has, apparently, done so much to cover this up.

      • dukeofurl 1.1.2
        21 June 2017 at 9:52 am

        Cant be sacked ?

        Well thats what effectively happened to a long line of national MPs. Gilmore, Sabin, Wong, Claudette Hauiti, Richard Worth. I understand but have no proof the party pays them to go.

        ACT expelled Donna Huata from their caucus when she refused to cooperate with police ( plus they used the then waka jumping law to have her removed from parliament)

        • Ovid 1.1.2.1
          21 June 2017 at 11:24 am

          MPs can’t be sacked. Ministers can lose their portfolios, but Barclay is just a backbencher. Aaron Gilmore, Mike Sabin, Pansy Wong, Caludette Hauiti and Richard Worth all resigned from Parliament. They probably all had a lot of pressure to do so, but they had to pull the trigger themselves.

          In terms of party expulsion, there’s a fairly broad rule in National’s constitution that says:

          “The Board or any Regional Conference or Electorate or Branch Committee may cancel or suspend the membership of the Party of any person whose actions, in their opinion, prejudice the interests of the Party.” (Section 12(a))

          But that won’t expel him from Parliament.

      • weka 1.1.3
        21 June 2017 at 11:05 am

        Presumably they could expel him from the party. But I’m guessing National’s main priority right now is maintaining their numbers in parliament, hence English’s willingness to bold face lie yesterday.

      • Ross 1.1.4
        21 June 2017 at 12:49 pm

        Little couldnt do much? I recall Taito Philip Field was expelled from Labour after the Ingram report was released. The point I was making was that Little could make it very clear that any Labour MP who behaved like Barclay would have no future with Labour. Then Little could compare that response with English’s.

        • McFlock 1.1.4.1
          21 June 2017 at 12:57 pm

          all the while sucking oxygen away from the nice little fire Barclay’s covered himself in.

          Shock horror, Labour’s playing politics with pservices employment matters!
          Shock horror, Little’s so desperate for attention he’s trying to make it about himself!
          Shock horror, Little did nothing when [insert beat-up here], the hypocrite!
          etc, etc, etc.

          Best to just sit back and watch it burn. Then in august go “wasn’t that a big fire”.

        • lprent 1.1.4.2
          21 June 2017 at 1:06 pm

          The point is that it is all about due process. In this case neither Little nor English can sack an MP. They are employed by parliament. Even a political party can’t do it. For instance you are incorrect in your example.

          While he’d been booted out of his ministerial posts back in 2005 (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taito_Phillip_Field#Conflict_of_interest_allegations) that was as far as a parliamentary party leader like (in this case) Helen Clark could actually go. As a first time MP Todd Barclay doesn’t have any leader set positions.

          However as a back bench MP, neither couldn’t be ‘sacked’ by a parliamentary party leader because they didn’t give any positions to him. He can’t be expelled from caucus by a parliamentary party leader – ditto – that is a decision made jointly by caucus. He can’t be expelled from the party by a parliamentary leader. In Labour that is a decision made by the NZ council.

          And no political party leader can sack a MP from Parliament. That is a decision made either by Parliament as a whole under very strict legislated rules or by the voters.

          So: in your example…

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taito_Phillip_Field#Independent

          He was expelled from the Parliamentary Labour caucus. He resigned from the Labour party (these are two different bodies). Neither decision would have been made by the Helen Clark

          On 14 February 2007, Field was formally expelled from the Parliamentary Labour Party. This was announced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Margaret Wilson. To forestall moves to expel him from the Labour Party, Field resigned on 16 February 2007, returning to Parliament as an independent, but promising to support the Government’s legislative programme;[10]

          Basically you appear to be profoundly ignorant about politics. Perhaps you should learn something about it before making daft ill-informed and quite stupid assertions.

    • Cinny 1.2
      21 June 2017 at 7:30 am

      Just like Alpha offered to do re the Hagamans, he’s already walking the talk, Alpha has integrity, that’s proven. Alpha need not get involved, better things for him to do, the media has it well covered.

      The outgoing government seems to prefer secret payouts and coverups instead.

    • WILD KATIPO 1.3
      21 June 2017 at 7:35 am

      Hmmmmm,… fair enough , I’d go along with that. And guaranteed , no matter what political party is in , there will always be some character that tries it on.

      The NZ public deserves better.

      And not only because we put in them in a position to SERVE US , – but because we also bloody well pay their wages.

  2. Cinny 2
    21 June 2017 at 7:25 am

    Listening to Gower who says it is important to note that Barclay said he agree’s with the outgoing PMs statement, which effectively means that it is an admission he recorded his staff. Therefore with an admission police should be able to prosecute if they want to.

    Gower is going for gold on this will put up a link when it is available

    Good work on the recap Weka

  3. bwaghorn 3
    21 June 2017 at 7:28 am

    barclay has agreed with the police statement made by english , so in effect barclay has admitted taping his staff, its up to the police to get off their arse and do their job

  4. Keith 4
    21 June 2017 at 7:30 am

    I wonder why all the surprise now.

    Barclay is a pin up boy for the type of personality that is king in National. He appears to have few if any morals having been a lobbyist for big tobacco barely out of his teens knowing the huge harm tobacco causes, and with his very likely criminal surveillance of staff, now rumored to be CCTV, he establishes himself as unethical and even paranoid.

    But sadly the only reason he stands out in the National Party is his age, not his reprehensible behavior, which the more they go on is par for the course.

    This guy clearly liked what he saw in the John Key leadship style and to me that simply makes him a chip off the old block watching the old masters in action, not an enfant terrible.

    Will those who vote National care, I doubt it, because they’re like personalities.

    • Tamati Tautuhi 4.1
      21 June 2017 at 8:07 am

      He obviously saw what he liked in John Key’s leadership style, and was just following through on what he had observed in the Prime Ministers Office.

      Todd hasn’t actually had much real world experience, which can only be gained through age and experience ?

  5. Ad 5
    21 June 2017 at 7:41 am

    It’s definitely fun, but I don’t think this will shift National in the polls so much as 1%, or change who is elected in Clutha-Southland.

    • Psycho Milt 5.1
      21 June 2017 at 7:57 am

      It says plenty about voters’ current expectations of their rulers that said rulers being caught out lying to cover up a crime can reasonably be considered unlikely to affect their poll rankings.

    • ScottGN 5.2
      21 June 2017 at 7:58 am

      I disagree with that Ad. When all the dust settles it’s the human element which has the capacity to damage the PM the most I reckon, the utterly squalid way that English stood by and let the National Party machine bully and intimidate a woman who’d been his electorate secretary for 17 years.

      • Ad 5.2.1
        21 June 2017 at 8:00 am

        Will it change your vote?

        • ScottGN 5.2.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 8:22 am

          I’m not a national voter so no, it’s not going to change my party vote. If I was national voter it might be enough to change my vote or at the very least discourage me from bothering to vote at all, which as we know from the last US election is just as effective.
          I’m registered to vote in Clutha-Southland by the way and might well change my electorate vote if I felt it was going to bloody the nose of the local, insufferable national party grandees.

      • You_Fool 5.2.2
        21 June 2017 at 10:06 am

        The problem is the average voter will just assign this to politicians acting like politicians, and fail to assign the particular party to the politician, which if people did more often would show a clear trend to which side of the political line have issues with being truthful and human

    • Rae 5.3
      21 June 2017 at 8:45 am

      You only have to tolerate 5-10 minutes of Mark Richardson on the AM show to understand how National supporters can twist and turn this in their minds, and excuse it all, even if broken laws are involved. If he is anything to go by, the stupid runs deep and wide among Nat supporters.

    • McFlock 5.4
      21 June 2017 at 12:20 pm

      Pre-Northland, I would have agreed with you.

      And didn’t I read somewhere that his highly experienced former electorate secretary is now working with a nearby NZ1 MP? 👿

  6. Penny Bright 6
    21 June 2017 at 7:46 am

    Seems that Todd Barclay, National MP for Clutha/Southland is quite a liar!

    How is this acceptable behaviour for an MP?

    Seen this?

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/06/20/35010/allegations-barclay-invented-complaints

    “Further details of Barclay’s behaviour can now be revealed, which could lead to a defamation case against the young MP.

    After the allegations broke in the media, Barclay has repeatedly dodged questions, citing confidentiality around employment disputes.

    But earlier this year the NZ Heraldpublished a story based on the redacted version of the police investigation file into whether Barclay had breached a section of the Crimes Act around “use of interception devices”.

    In a statement provided to the media organisation, Barclay said there had been complaints about the staff member (Dickson), who had been reprimanded.

    “I had received complaints about the conduct of a staff member from members of the public and I referred the matter to Parliamentary Services.

    “As the legal employer of support staff, they acted as they deemed appropriate and embarked on a disciplinary process.”

    But in a letter from the Parliamentary Service to Dickson, seen by Newsroom, general manager David Stevenson said no complaints existed.

    “…Parliamentary Service has neither received any complaint about you nor has it carried out any employment investigation or taken any disciplinary action against you (Dickson).”

    Dickson told Newsroom that Barclay’s comments were misleading, defamatory, and “totally dishonest”.

    After reading Barclay’s statement, she had followed up with the Parliamentary Service as she was unaware of any problems.

    “Well I’ve actually contacted Parliamentary Services and the manager of Parliamentary Services has got nothing on record because I didn’t know about any complaints, so I thought I needed to follow up on that.

    There are no complaints, and there is no disciplinary action taken at all.”

    It was infuriating to hear that Barclay had issued such a dishonest statement in public, she said.

    “I’m very angry, very upset, and to use somebody and discredit them for your own promotion is not something that I admire at all.”

    Dickson also said she was upset with Barclay repeatedly saying he could not comment on the matter of the recording because it was an employment issue.

    “I think it’s rubbish, it’s not an employment issue, and it’s really just trying to cover up what really went on.”

  7. One Anonymous Bloke 7
    21 June 2017 at 7:51 am

    Barclay looks more arrogant and stupid by the hour, which of course is what made him perfect National Party material in the first place.

    The real damage isn’t to this shabby little crim’s career and reputation, though. English has revealed himself as a thoroughly unsavoury individual. Again, perfect National Party leader material.

    Others in the party must be aware of just what he is. Could they not prevent his election to the leader’s spot, or do they envy his low character?

    • garibaldi 7.1
      21 June 2017 at 8:12 am

      Good points OAB.
      However imo “others in the party” are just the same. They are all aware of what they are. Self aggrandising arseholes to the bitter end.

    • Skinny 7.2
      21 June 2017 at 8:13 am

      Barclay is just a boy, low fruit. English has been caught out telling porkies by back filling for him, this is the real crime.

      Meanwhile big fish like Joyce are doing the real tricky moves and seemingly getting away with it untouched.

      Thankfully there are still watch dog groups keeping the acid on National’s lead snake oil merchant;

      https://www.change.org/p/nz-prime-minister-bill-english-transport-minister-simon-bridges-must-resign/u/20597501

      • garibaldi 7.2.1
        21 June 2017 at 8:38 am

        Well, there you go. Nick Smith has just been on RNZ and confirmed what I said at7.1 !!

        • dukeofurl 7.2.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 9:57 am

          Thats the NIck Smith who was convicted by two judges of interfering with witnesses in a court case !

          never did him any harm which I could never understand. Thats the real reason Barclay is standing firm

  8. gsays 8
    21 June 2017 at 8:53 am

    What I don’t understand is why the outgoing premiere (cheers cinny) has tolerated Barclays lies and obfuscation for so long.
    Then yesterday, implying he had FORGOTTEN what he stated in a police statement about 18 months prior.

    What does he know that forces him into this sticky situation?
    Who is he covering for? Sir dear leader?

    Hmm.. jumbo bags of popcorn.

    • WILD KATIPO 8.1
      21 June 2017 at 9:16 am

      Good points,…

      ‘ What does he know that forces him into this sticky situation?
      Who is he covering for? Sir dear leader? ‘

      Hmmmm… the time-frame seems about right,… so,… what did we have,… Pike River , Operation Burnham , a few other assorted scandals with an ex minister of police ,and yes , as revealed over the last few days ,… the newbie from the South ,…

      Oh , and then there’s the Panama Papers, the furore over spying for Obama on China and other South Pacific neighbors… hmmmm…

      Nope, I reckon it was just good old butt covering and concealing things at all costs to push through as much of his globalist agenda as possible before we all had a gutsful of him and kicked English out.

      Wee lad must have learnt his lesson last time he was PM , then…

  9. left_forward 9
    21 June 2017 at 8:59 am

    I wonder why Barclay did this in the first place – what motivated him to record Dickson’s conversations?

      • left_forward 9.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 9:11 am

        Thanks Andre, that’s the article that caused me to think about this – for some reason he came up with a complaint against her, but it is impossible to work out why he went to all the trouble to install a CCTV system to monitor her – was he jealous of her? Was she a potential rival?

        • Andre 9.1.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 9:26 am

          You mean what caused the relationship to go downhill to begin with? Could be as simple as them both just not meshing from from the start, rather than one single incident turning things bad. Then tiny irritants turn into molehills then into mountains.

        • Carolyn_nth 9.1.1.2
          21 June 2017 at 9:31 am

          It’s here in Melanie Reid’s first article this week. Basically, Barclay was not doing his job. Dickson probably conveyed her dissatisfaction to Barclay:

          English knows most of those involved in the current skirmish.
          He enjoyed a strong working relationship with Glenys Dickson who was his Electorate Agent for 17 years.

          Dickson would often stand in for English at local events when he was busy with his duties as Minister of Finance. She was sometimes jokingly referred to as “the local MP”.

          English also enjoyed a good relationship with his electorate chair, Stuart Davie. Davie quit following Barclay’s denial of the taping at the Gore AGM.

          Dickson, who has spoken for the first time since she resigned in February last year, told Newsroom that working with Barclay became problematic not long after he was elected at the end of 2014.

          “He shouted at me and other staff and blamed us for things that weren’t our fault. But it was mainly the way he dealt with other people, especially older constituents that upset me. He just didn’t seem to have time for them.”

          She says if Barclay cancelled engagements or was late to scheduled events he blamed it on things that didn’t ring true.

          “He would say, ‘oh Google isn’t working or I had a flat tyre’.”

          Dickson says the final straw for her came in November 2015. Barclay was supposed to attend the prizegiving ceremony at the Telford Agricultural institute in Balclutha but cancelled at the last minute.

          He was the guest of honour but had stayed in Queenstown where the previous evening he had been attending a function and according to people who were present, the MP was in good spirits.

          Later, Barclay reportedly told people he had been in hospital and had a medical certificate.

        • left_forward 9.1.1.3
          21 June 2017 at 10:09 am

          Thanks Andre and Carolyn.

  10. Carolyn_nth 10
    21 June 2017 at 9:11 am

    let’s not forget, at the centre of this debacle, is a woman (Glenys Dickson), who was subjected to workplace abuse and harassment by Barclay. And then she had her reputation smeared. And English and Key were supporters and enablers of this abuse.

    • WILD KATIPO 10.1
      21 June 2017 at 9:20 am

      Runs in the ‘ family’ then. Much like Paula Bennett abused two beneficiary’s publicly by releasing private details.

      Disgusting bunch of cretins, really.

    • The New Student 10.2
      21 June 2017 at 10:53 am

      That’s right +1 Carolyn

      There’s a very human face behind all of this. Goes beyond Left vs. Right and who votes for who

  11. ianmac 11
    21 June 2017 at 9:15 am

    Remember the bit where Barclay was to be the guest of honour at some Agricultural Presentation event in Southland but failed to turn up at short notice. He said that he was unable to attend as he had been in hospital and had a doctor’s certificate to back it.
    However others said that he was in Queenstown that night “socialising.” No certificate was sighted by anyone. Barclay has a history of not turning up with a variety of excuses maybe including the dog ate his homework, except he is an MP not a kid.

    • dukeofurl 11.1
      21 June 2017 at 9:35 am

      He does make plenty of appearances at that flash Golf resort and at Queenstown rooftop bars.

      • WILD KATIPO 11.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 9:45 am

        Hmmmm…echoes of the ‘ Aaron ‘ complex…. these young Nats, really have to watch their intake , it seems…

        • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 10:05 am

          The ‘Aaron Complex’ is normal for the types of people who run for National. They really do think that they’re all special snowflakes and better than everyone else.

  12. mauī 12
    21 June 2017 at 9:43 am

    Watching Sarah Dowie standing behind Barclay yesterday at questions from the media. She looked in a really bad state. She must know her political career is on the line too being the MP from the neighbouring electorate. The stink doesn’t have far to travel. And having to support Toddy all day not know what shit he was going to say next.

  13. Dorothy Bulling 13
    21 June 2017 at 10:11 am

    He can be scked in effect by the National Party cancelling his membership. He would then not be able to carry on being an electorate MP. This has been done before, most notably John A Lee. But would billyboy have the guts to do that? Barclay is not being very clever over this and I suspect his ambition to be an MP is dead in the water. Those who were sent packing that some have named were all list MPs and could be sent out easily.

  14. Anthony Rimell 14
    21 June 2017 at 10:15 am

    Radio New Zealand interview with Andrew Little this morning is worth listening to. So much in it.

    Firstly, no one from any part of the National party would speak to RNZ today. The list of people contacted and not talking left me with the impression that the only person left might of been the Clutha office cleaner.
    Second, Andrew was forthright, firm and clear: the leader that Bill English is not currently being.

    As an aside, Whaleoil was strangely silent on the issue yesterday. Not like him at all to ignore corruption allegations… 🙊

    • Carolyn_nth 14.1
      21 June 2017 at 10:18 am

      I’ve seen a comment on twitter this morning that WO was backing Todd and white anting English.

    • Adrian Thornton 14.2
      21 June 2017 at 10:48 am

      re; RNZ Little this morning.
      I thought Little made a mistake by saying he didn’t think English should step down, Little could have said something like…I can’t really comment on what Bill English should do, however in light of his previous statements on this matter to the media and the public, he will have to follow his own conscience…or something like that.

      Not aggressive, or negative, but leaving the question of Bill’s integrity hanging firmly in Bill’s court.

      One thing Little really has has going for him, is I don’t think anyone has ever questioned his honesty, or integrity, so it is completely legitimate for him to take the moral high ground on this one.

    • Gabby 14.3
      21 June 2017 at 12:40 pm

      It was heartening that he avoided the sneaky invitation by Spinner to get all holier-than-thou. Laughing off a baited question works way better than blustering.

  15. roy cartland 15
    21 June 2017 at 10:16 am

    It could all be a dead cat strategy: the Southland candidate selection that Barclay won was fraught. And the candidate that stood against Barclay is Simon Flood, an ex Merryl-Lynch JK type.

    Certainly not beyond the NP to do this kind of thing.

    • Gabby 15.1
      21 June 2017 at 12:48 pm

      That idea would look less Lusky if Wee Toddy hasn’t been cancelling engagements or pissing off elderly constituents.

  16. Ad 16
    21 June 2017 at 10:23 am

    Police have re-opened the file.
    It’s coming…..

  17. Reality 17
    21 June 2017 at 10:25 am

    That Bill English turned his back on his long-time electorate secretary and did not defend her reputation was disgusting. Something is definitely missing in his character.

  18. Carolyn_nth 18
    21 June 2017 at 10:26 am

    Richard Harman on Politik, reports using alleged comments from anonymous Nat insiders. Harman reports on factional disputes within Clutha-Southland Nats, that have got very bitter and convoluted. Harman also claims an involvement of NZ First:

    Barclay was 24 when he replaced English in the Clutha-Southland seat, and even some of his supporters wonder whether he was mature enough to become an MP.

    He faced an entrenched and much older office staff who had been used to filling in for English who only visited the electorate infrequently because he was Finance Minister and Deputy Leader.

    Relations between Barclay and the staff soon broke down.

    And in April last year Glenys Dickson, the staff member at the centre of the row resigned.

    Ever since Barclay has been the subject of a long-running campaign against him from Dickson and her supporters in the electorate.

    One former electorate chair, Lloyd Anderson, a Gore real estate agent, described the dissidents as the “evil six”.

    Allegations and counter-allegations flowed through the year, so the National Party sent the chair of the NZ Racing Board and a member of its board, Glenda Hughes, to investigate what was going on.

    She apparently inflamed things and seems to have ended up joining the criticism of Barclay.
    …
    However it has agreed to have former Minister, Kate Wilkinson, run a low-key investigation into claims about delegate stacking at the selection meeting last year.

    Officials said that claims that selection meetings had been stacked with ineligible delegates were frequently made because the National Party has a very loose system of appointing delegates to its selection meetings.

    They thought it unlikely that even if some delegates were ruled ineligible in Clutha-Southland that it would have any effect on the overall vote count.

    That’s what Wilkinson is trying to sort out.

    There have also been allegations that NZ First has been involved in the machinations within the electorate, including a persistent claim that Dickson, was working with NZ First MP Ria Bond.

  19. web developer 19
    21 June 2017 at 10:43 am

    I don’t think the Party will have much trouble getting rid of him. See Payne v New Zealand National Party 2008.

  20. weka 20
    21 June 2017 at 11:02 am

    Barry Soper‏ @barrysoper

    Secret taping in Barclays Gore office wasn’t a simple dictaphone, I’ve been told CCTV cameras surreptitiously laid in by a security firm.

    …


    Graeme Edgeler‏ @GraemeEdgeler 1h1 hour ago

    Graeme Edgeler Retweeted Barry Soper

    Secret video is legal. Only secret audio can break the interception provisions in the crimes act

    https://twitter.com/GraemeEdgeler/status/877279799537836032

    • David Mac 20.1
      21 June 2017 at 11:23 am

      I think audio would of been recorded. Todd was interested in what his staff were saying not doing.

      The Nats can’t run with the ever popular strategy ‘ Oh she is just a hard-core leftie being a hard-core leftie’ as she and Bill worked together efficiently and happily for years….Bill saying he knows nothing of what was going on down there….. the nation is thinking ‘that’s a fib isn’t it Bill?’

      At last an issue that has gone beyond the Beehive buzz and into public bars, squash courts and daycare drop off areas….”Looks like some National spoiled brat in Southland has left Bill English with his pants round his ankles.”

      The am show had their largest poll turn out ever. 55% of people said “Yes, I care.”

  21. Cinny 21
    21 June 2017 at 12:06 pm

    Well, well, well, police investigation could be reopened, ongoing discussion about Barclays resignation and an announcement by the outgoing PM at 2pm.

    Best that English is back in Parliament to answer Q3 today.
    ANDREW LITTLE to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his answers during Oral Question No. 2 yesterday?

    Meanwhile Barclay avoided a public event last night and didn’t turn up to select committee this morning.

  22. Sacha 22
    21 June 2017 at 12:33 pm

    He’ll be set up with a cushy job in the party’s business network, like Jason Ede was. Now run along, Toddy.

  24. weka 24
    21 June 2017 at 1:30 pm

    Post updated, including with Barclay stepping down as candidate for the election and leaving parliament at the end of the term.

  25. Penny Bright 25
    21 June 2017 at 1:38 pm

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/93908848/backbench-mps-stand-by-barclay-ministers-less-solid

    “Embattled MP Todd Barclay to stand down at September election”

    • Red 25.1
      21 June 2017 at 3:46 pm

      Well that’s that then, back to rugby and sailing, msm attempt to be Washington post is over , collective leftie mass hysteria and hypocrisy done and dusted

      • Robert Guyton 25.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 3:58 pm

        Yes, Red. ‘cept, Bill English. Then it’ll be done and dusted.

        • weka 25.1.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 4:18 pm

          Oh and the bit about the National Party having obstructed justice. Plus the police investigation and the Privacy Commisdooner one. But after that, sure it will be back to the rugby.

  26. Red 26
    21 June 2017 at 4:24 pm

    I don’t know about that Darren Hughes affair died down quite quickly, which I suggest was a lot more serious, still to this day we don’t have the real story albeit a lot of labour MPs know what went on