Billy Big Stepper
Our wee James Bond wannabes had a code name for Kim Dotcom (you know, in case their comms were intercepted by the bad guys). They called him Billy Big Stepper. So witty! But Labour’s uncovered something more serious too. It seems that the GCSB was aware in February that they may have broken the law and went into a quite a tizz, before covering it up.
This bit is interesting:
“In February, the GCSB knew spying could be illegal but it took seven months until it was revealed to Dotcom, the Prime Minister and the public.”
Well, that’s the official version. I reckon there’s three possibilities:
- They did tell him and they’re lying about it now.
- His own officials deliberately keep him in the dark for 7 months
- The GCSB is out of control on Key’s watch
None of those are good for Key. But which is more likely?
Well, I just go back the basic facts.
- Kim Dotcom was one of the wealthiest people in New Zealand.
- He lived in our most expensive mansion.
- That mansion was in Key’s electorate.
- Dotcom had been in contact with several of Key’s ministers (not least, John Banks).
- Key’s electorate office had been contacted with reference to Dotcom at least twice.
- Key’s spies were investigating this powerful figure in Key’s electorate.
- The spies casually mentioned the Dotcom case in a briefing to Key.
I just don’t buy that Key wouldn’t be up to speed. It’s basic arse-covering from a public servant’s perspective – do you want to take the risk of incurring the Minister’s wrath if something goes wrong on something so close to them and you haven’t informed them?
So, Billy Big Stepper is still making political earthquakes. More than a few careers have been squashed so far. The question is: can Key keep on slithering out of the way?