Written By:
mickysavage - Date published:
10:07 am, July 10th, 2020 - 128 comments
Categories: making shit up, Media, national, same old national, spin, you couldn't make this shit up -
Tags: michael woodhouse, Michelle Boag
Yesterday I posed a number of random impertinent questions about Michelle Boag and the handling of sensitive confidential information. One of them was:
Who else has she forwarded these reports to?
Well this morning that question has been answered, at least in part. Michael Woodhouse, he who poses with toilet seats, has admitted that he was one of the recipients of the information.
From Radio New Zealand:
National MP and health spokesperson Michael Woodhouse has confirmed he was also the recipient of patient details from former National Party president Michelle Boag.
In a statement, he said he received four unsolicited emails from Boag between 21 and 25 June.
“While not the same information that is the subject of the inquiry led by Michael Heron QC, [they were] similar in so far as it contained patient details,” Woodhouse said.
“Michelle told me she received this information through her role with the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and I was led to believe it was circulating among a number of other health agencies.
“I recognised that the information in those emails was private so I did not share it with anyone else and I subsequently deleted them.”
Woodhouse said he has contacted Heron about the emails and will cooperate with the inquiry.
So four “unsolicited” emails between June 21 and June 25.
Remember on July 4 when he said:
Yet another mistake just goes to prove that this Government is not fit to manage the Covid-19 recovery, National’s Health spokesperson Michael Woodhouse says. “Reports coming in this morning of personal details being leaked which reveals the identity of New Zealand’s current active cases, is yet another serious failing from this incompetent Government.
“This is unconscionable and unacceptable that those suffering from the incredibly dangerous virus now have to suffer further with their private details being leaked.
“The Government needs to get to the bottom of this, and quickly. The Ministry of Health have been assuring people since the beginning of the epidemic in New Zealand that personal details would remain private, it’s unfathomable that they couldn’t handle a simple task like this.
Let us pick this apart. Woodhouse knew Boag was getting confidential information and was leaking them like a sieve. He was right that it was “unconscionable and unacceptable” that this was happening. But he was suggesting that it was the Government’s incompetence not a senior National Party member’s malevolence.
He has offered to cooperate with the Heron inquiry. It might be quicker for Heron if National MPs who did not receive private information from Boag identified themselves.
The question has to be asked, who else was given this information? How likely is it that Boag only sent it to two MPs?
The inquiry is going to be really interesting. Popcorn sellers in the country should get ready for a rush on their product.
Update: Michelle Boag has announced she has resigned from the National Party.
And Todd Muller said yesterday that that he had not asked his MPs whether they had received confidential information as Walker had and that “[t]he issue is sorted from my perspective”. But a party spokeswoman told the Herald that Muller knew about Boag’s emails to Woodhouse on Tuesday.
This is a nightmare for National. It is going to suck out every bit of momentum from their campaign that they may have been generating.
The current rise of populism challenges the way we think about people’s relationship to the economy.We seem to be entering an era of populism, in which leadership in a democracy is based on preferences of the population which do not seem entirely rational nor serving their longer interests. ...
The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.
Michael Woodhouse being interviewed by Kathryn Ryan at 10.30 a.m. on RNZ
His choice of language will be very interesting.
Will he use the word subsequently?
Listening on internet radio from a sun drenched deck on the Canadian prairies. Better than cricket for summer entertainment… [Not really]
Thanks for the hint about the Woodhouse interview. We would have missed it otherwise.
Wow, he was bad. More fun than I expected!
So squirmingly embarrassing to listen to:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018754379/national-s-michael-woodhouse-on-covid-19-patient-leak
I expect this to be followed up on by the media.
This quotation from Sam Gribben on twitter sums it up:
“The Boag sideshow shall continue. But the big story is right here. Woodhouse, National’s shadow health minister, knew that someone was actively leaking in an attempt to undermine NZ’s C19 response, and he didn’t tell anyone until she got caught. Reprehensible, dangerous behavior.”
So that "impeccable source" that Woodhouse cited was…. Michelle Boag.
https://i1.wp.com/strangeago.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/garrote02.jpg?w=393&ssl=1
Grubby, isn't it.
Grubby doesn't begin to describe these actions.
This is how the National Party respond to a global pandemic.
What is the definition of sedition?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition
Woodhouse is an odiuos man, so this in particular doesn't surprise me. Prior to this, Boag, Walker, 'flabbergasted'
Love that word.
Several times now, Woodhouse has demonstrated he is unfit to hold office.
Along with paying various lawyers fees, I begrudge my taxes going towards this mans salary.
I almost feel for Muller, his profound lack of leadership is debilitating.
A local lad William Wood has been nominated for the Palmerston North electorate. At this rate he will probably find himself in the top few if these MPs keep dropping like flies.
Has Wood finished secondary school yet?
Yes.
I understand he was headed to Vic to do political science. Whether that is still the plan…
Will be interesting to see how Nikki Kaye feels about all of this, if indeed she's one of the only wholesome ones left, and whether she's comfortable contining to associate with such low-life.
Not so sure any longer, up till all this came to light, Boag was her campaign manager, which kind of throws her into a bit of a different light
For the first time, people are seeing the rotten attitudes and flouting of rules and lack of decency by some? many? National members and supporters.
This has disgusted many in the South, and they are die hard blue, so throughout the land people are thinking that this is awful.
How long before Tova and friends say "they all do it." I am getting in early to say… No Tova and c/o, they don't!!
Perhaps they were calling the PM “St Jacinda “because they were ‘sinners” ???? More to come.
Now Mr. Brownlee, have you had emails from M.Boag????
Looks like National have thrown Walker and Boag under the bus metaphorically, so, when is the next bus????
I suspect that some of them do genuinely despise nice people.
People so disgusted in the south that Adams and Brownlee, whatever swede they put up in Clutha and others will fly in with very healthy majorities.
Not so sure. The Nats will hold Clutha and Invercargill. They reckon they might win what used to be Dunedin South from Labour's carpet-bagging candidate from Waiheke Island.
Let's not forget that Hamish Walker was himself a carpetbagger
Anyone care to take odds on the 'Intelligence' Unit being in charge of sanitising all National computer hard drives?
Considering the total lack of outrage coming from others in National people should be realising that this sort of immoral behaviour is normal for them.
That'd be about right. The only problem that the rest of National see is that they got caught – not that they were being completely immoral.
For the first time?
Hardly
True Sasha. Point taken lol
Hello. How did he know the information was not the same as the leaked info – unless he has seen the leaked info to be able to compare? Deleted?
And how could Woodlouse know none of the four emails from Boag contained the same information as Walker received if he only read the first one?
This is a fundamental National Party mantra: if you can't beat them by fair means then use foul. It is in their DNA.
As my English born father taught me four plus decades ago… never trust a Tory, they are nasty my nature.
Anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of the Michelle Boags of this world will know the extent of the deceit, treachery and vitriol these types will descend to, in order to get their way.
Karma really must exist after all.
I believe the term "hoist by your own petard" applies in this situation.
Woodhouse
Deleted the emails on Monday or Tuesday.
The day after the inquiry was announced.
Yes I loved that, his "I am above reproach, I deleted the emails" & when? "as soon as I heard there was an inquiry". Also this "Boag said she would send me an email, and asked for it to be a non parliamentary address", dodgy AF.
Come on Nicki Kaye – 'fess up – or tell us you didn't know. Woodhouse needs to go by the way.
So Nicki knew stuff too. Mmmm.
Lying, and squirming like a fish
Squirming like a salted slug.
Put your hand up if you believe Woodhouse. Just a minute, I'll do a count….
Put your hand down, Banksy. You have no credibility.
In your excitement you are getting her name wrong….as pointed out by others on TS it is Covid 1-18 Boag.
Right-wingers are either incredibly thick, nasty or both. I'd for a long time thought it'd be impossible to sum a class of person up so simply, but this one works.
Woodhouse told Muller on Tuesday evening.
If the intention of that interview was to shut down the conversation and staunch the questions, it failed….
Tuesday evening? Was Muller's interview on Wednesday the one where he said he knew of no other National Party MPs in receipt of the information?
Robert. Muller will argue that he meant the information rather than similar information. Wriggle room?
Wriggle room indeed. If I know the average New Zealand swing voter (and I think I do), the one thing they love to hear from the candidate for new prime minister is weaselly semantics designed to obscure the truth from them.
Also based on Muller's media performances to date, he would stammer and flounder like a dying fish if properly questioned on such a weak position.
And his tribe will swallow that without gagging, while non-tribal members will be spewing! Same as it ever was.
Though he's also said that he didn't ask his MPs whether they had received the info.
The other question is – did National ask Boag for the information in the emails? Which could make it a very very messy situation…
Listened to Michael Woodhouse on RNZ pretend he's Sgt Shultz….."I know nothink"
One really disgusting thing to remember about Woodhouse, that cynical and shameless leaker of confidential information, is that he was a tireless and brutal traducer of Julian Assange, who exposed the crimes of people like Woodhouse.
A more relevant thing is that he has been a hospital CEO, so knows the NZ health information privacy rules well. Just happy to ignore em.
Fair comment. Wonder if he'll be hounded and ridiculed by the folks on the Panel for it.
Makes you wonder how he conducted himself in that position.
Yes, you are right, this is pertinent. From his experience, he would know that the names that he received from Boag in June should not be shared by anyone, and yet he didn't warn his source or his colleagues against using them?
Thanks, Mozza.
Traducer is a new word for my vocabulary. Kind of onomatapeic too.
The term was used, memorably, by the great George Galloway, as he faced down a couple of hapless American politicians in 2005….
One of many "matters arising" from that Woodhouse interview with Ryan: apparently e-mails in Dunedin can only be accessed in Dunedin.
Well thats more BS. I could say that too, but I know I can get all my emails, from any account, on my phone anywhere in the world
Perhaps they were emails sent by fax, or by carrier pigeon…
Probably prints them out, puts in an envelope, attaches stamp and mails them.
That was breathtaking bullsh*ttery!
Haha – I thought that was a curious thing to say too.
Kathryn did a good job to to get a few straight answers from Woodhouse. He seems to have organised his story to have verifiable answers. Cute. He has had nearly a week to line up his ducks but perception will damage his future credibility. With some flow on doubt about Muller's credibility/timeline as well.
Yes, I was pleasantly surprised to hear her performance. She did not let him get away with anything.
Here’s some video footage of his reaction to the questioning….
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fd/c5/4f/fdc54f2a723f58dcde444605f9034d00.gif
I get the feeling that his answers won't stand up to the slightest inspection.
Like the "unsolicited" emails, that were received after a Bo-Ag phone call. Were they spam emails then?
Hold on…….the National campaign had been generating momentum before this? Where? With who? The people deserve to know!
Sharon Murdoch sums up the situation with this great cartoon.
Todd is just beginning to realise what cousin Michael has left stuck on the seat….
https://twitter.com/domesticanimal/status/1281309398200012800/photo/1
Yep, pretty much graphically describes Mullers current conundrum.
Mullers been using the old distraction technique
Look over there.
Can anyone see National recovering before the election?
Given the reality that " a day is a long time in politics"
Woodhouse interview (14 mins): https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018754379/national-s-michael-woodhouse-on-covid-19-patient-leak
Amelia Wade has done a good job sorting out the Muller timeline here – and the details are crucial:
Muller was asked about "anyone else?", when he knew about Woodhouse. Muller lied.
Only a (barely credible) memory lapse can get Todd off the hook.
Relevant quotes:
National health spokesman Michael Woodhouse told leader Todd Muller on Tuesday evening that he was also sent Covid patient data by Michelle Boag. …
But the next day, Muller was specifically asked by reporters “have you checked with Woodhouse, specifically, whether he received that same information from Boag”.
“No,” replied Muller … At no point in yesterday’s media stand-up did Muller mention that he knew Boag had sent Covid patient information to Woodhouse. …
Asked again if he had spoken to Woodhouse and if Boag was a Woodhouse source, Muller said: “No, I don’t really understand where you’re going with this.”
Yep definite porky pie.
Strikingly. See the 1 minute TVNZ clip linked to below: https://thestandard.org.nz/did-any-national-mp-not-receive-confidential-information-from-michelle-boag/#comment-1728278
Muller's in Big Troub.
I predicted a few months ago (albeit tongue-in-cheek) that Judith would become leader around July … I'm starting to think I was right all along.
My heart says Smiddy but my head says Judith.
https://twitter.com/swordfish7774/status/1281377883873669121
If the moral answer to Boag is Collins then we really are in an alternate timeline.
Its National – there is no moral.
bad for morale
Sounds like they'd be going from the frying pan directly into the fire
Is that why she is acting all prime -ministerial backing Heken Clark for the WHO Covid review thing.
Two things still puzzle me.
Michelle Boag has been at this stuff forever- about 30 years since the Faye Richwhite stuff. Why has she rolled over and admitted everything this time? If it was the USA you'd suspect she had done a plea bargain to rollover on others to save herself but that's not really the scene here.
Some things that go on in government do need exposure. But who is doing the leaking of some highly confidential data that we all know exists but really has absolutely no actual political value like the names of the covid patients.
I think National has a prized asset in the Department of Health they do not want to lose.
Maybe yes. I imagine that the place is being done over as we speak.The DG is on holiday this week isn't he?
Looks like a pretty heavy enquiry this time, and this isn’t a civil matter. So far this is looking like an unauthorised leak. Not even a mistake. If the enquiry comes up with a report of no other organisations being sent this confidential information by some systematically stupid mistake (and even then) there are likely to be charges preferred against the leaker.
Basically leaks of confidential information from the civil servants are always treated seriously. No difference between this and the dozen(s) of other enquiries into civil service breaches of confidential or secret information.
And I bet they can even get GCSB's help if needed via Police. Nowhere to hide.
I don't know how relevant it is but she knew she was leaving her charity role well before she quit and I can't imagine she didn't have something in the pipeline. I think she poached the info knowing she was out the door anyway.
It will be interesting to see where she lands after all this.
Someone in the media should be asking Nikki Kaye some straight questions.
Here's my free media advice for Todd Muller –
You don't have to make a statement until you've worked out what it is you are saying. Waiting another hour before you face the cameras won't kill you. But getting caught out will.
This is Muller's response, and it's hopeless:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/muller-could-have-been-clearer-info-woodhouse-received-boag
“I could have been more clearer," ………………
Hapless.
Hopeless.
And clearly being unclear.
He needs another cup of tea and a lie down already?
For Michael Woodhouse, as health spokesman, former CEO of a hospital and person with a Masters of Health Administration, to merely delete emails that willfully breach patient privacy is disgracefully inadequate.
He knew the leak he received was outrageously unethical and went against all standards of medical practice. It was incumbent on him to take decisive action to expose and shut down this appalling behaviour. Reporting the breach to the proper authorities (e.g. MOH, privacy commissioner) would be the minimum decent action he could take.
It would've been okay if he wasn't caught. Well, if THEY weren't caught. How many in 'they'?
It's like a replay in the cricket on TV – we're waiting to see if the boundary was touched and so the three is a four or the ball actually cleared the boundary and it's a six. Can you run overthrows on a boundary? Could be even more.
If it wasn't for those pesky kids..
No you can't run overthrows if it reaches the boundary though the boundary itself may be 4 overthrows
I'm thinking of setting up a Give a Little page to buy Michael Woodlouse a 'Moral Compass!' God knows, he needs one! One for Todd Muller too. The whole Natz party?
That would be awesome!! Seriously!
you got quoted 🙂
https://twitter.com/wekatweets/status/1281748727128977408
Great ‘bill board’
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/07/10/winners-losers-latest-shocking-boag-revelations-are-the-end-of-the-national-death-star/
Post got a lot of typos. A rushed job. Hard for commentators to keep up these days.
Love the billboard…hopefully
'They're Toast'
Unfortunately the volume on the video isn't all that clear. Muller said of himself that he was 'very clear!' A number of times.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12347102
I could not see Matthew Hooton in the clip.
Dirty Tricks? Remember that the case against the donors and JamieLee start this week. Will there be a suspicion that the National Party will remain unscathed or will the evidence that JL has create a problem for Nat Party?
Ah, that might be connected with their most lucrative Chinese MP choosing now to leave..
I can see some lawyer arguing that this case being heard is unfair for the Nats, anyone judging would be prejudiced by the filthy, dodgy goings-on that have been revealed.
A week is a long time in politics… And next week could feel like a year for National on top of this …if this is still dragging on…
"Muller said on Tuesday evening he was given a "heads up" from Michael Woodhouse that he had been given information that "sounded similar" to that given to Walker.
"The next day I had a chat with Michael and we agreed it would be appropriate for him to circle back to Michael Heron and make him aware of that, in case it would be useful for his inquiry.""
And yet…,Woodhouse deleted those emails making them unavailable to Heron. Very, very odd.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12347102
Odd that he deleted those emails making them unavailable to Heron? No, it's Michael Woodhouse and National, it's business as usual.
Not really odd if they refer to someone from national having requested them.
Some people just have such rotten luck.. Imagine circling back to Heron with important information which you had just deleted some hours or a day prior. He must have felt awful about it.
I wonder if Covid 1-18 Boag also had the foresight to delete them?
No, No, No, No, No. The font was different. Totally different. Doesn't count at all.
The Muller reply/justification today at 12:30:
There we are then. Hook removed.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12347102
He received the emails in June – given we are a team of 5 million fighting Covid – wouldn't you think that any 'leak' be reported and dealt to? If not – he is failing as a member of that team and failing the national Covid response – essentially failing his country. Well even essentially working against it – so essentially being treasonous. Maybe even criminal. i dunno …
Prison for him.
And for the quarantine escapees.
They are both undermining our national security.
Unfortunately exempt. Boag, on the other hand..
Should we go easy on the Shadow minister of Health Woodhouse?
No! Remember the vitriol and sneering and undermining that Woodhouse has directed at the past Minister of Health, David Clark? What goes around….
Woodhouse: “I have had no knowledge of anything that Michelle Boag has done this week."
What she's done this week has been right across in the media for a couple of days. did
"I haven’t spoken to Michelle this week:” A reasonable translation?: "We communicated by email, so I haven't talked to her."
They clearly had someone in the street who was spying on Clark and someone stalked him to a couple of outdoor venues when he was trying to get fresh air and exercise. Given the circumstances the man was probably in desperate need of it to clear his head.
Yet the bastards – ably abetted by a vindictive media – crucified him for doing the same as what the team of 5 million were doing… getting fresh air and exercise.
It subsequently transpired that Dr. Ashley Bloomfield was going out around 6 am for his daily bout of fresh air and exercise. Nobody complained about that and nor should they. Like Clark he was trying to stay healthy and combat the stress that went with his position.
Exactly Anne! I live 5 mins away from Dr Clark, and went for walks every day during Level 4, as did most of my suburb (we did a lot of dodging).
The walking,cycling track that Dr Clark used for exercise between zoom meetings is literally just a few minutes drive from his house (unlike Doctor's Point, which was a foolish mistake on his part I admit).
I thought the whole mountain biking thing was a media beat up at the time, and I haven't changed my mind on that.
However, that's all moot now and Dr Clark will have time to reflect on how he could have handled his portfolio better over time. According to the Otago Daily Times he offered to take the Health portfolio because nobody else would step up. He must be wondering why he bothered.
Thanks for that Liliane. I don't know David Clark, but I do know his brother. A nicer person you could not meet, and I'm sure David is probably the same.
I wonder sometimes how those two-faced, up-themselves tabloid media types can sleep at night. They have no feelings of shame or guilt for the way they destroy reputations just because they can. Loathsome specimens of humanity.
Previously: "no other MPs involved, except Walker"
Now: "no other MPs, except Walker and Woodhouse"
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/420925/no-other-national-mps-received-leaked-details-todd-muller
Next?
On the News RNZ just now (3pm) when asked if there was anyone else receiving info, Muller said that he has told his caucus firmly that if they had received any info they must tell him.
So didn't answer the question really.
Yes, it beggars belief that Boag, on Nikki Kaye's campaign committee, didn't communicate with her – and pass on private information.
I mean, one almost has to assume that this clusterfuck can't be an accident.
But if it's an intentional plot to fuck up the nats, then how could they not be this competent ever before in their careers? Is sabotaging their own party the only time in their lives they truly excel? Or is this all an accident and they've fallen through the floor into a new level of incompetence?
All the while consistently finding the wrong thing to do with patient data?
Or it's just a subterfuge. They are so cunning, that they have a cunning plan to confuse us with something that Baldrick dreamed up. Watch out for a turnip soon, we must keep alert.
Bridges must be loving this..
Let them all burn on the bonfire of ideological vanity and abhorrent tactics.
Brand recognition. National at its finest folks.
Health Minister Chris Hipkins criticises National for sitting on sensitive COVID-19 patient information.
"Hipkins said it is not legitimate to release that information or to sit on that information and not inform the Government."
"It is clear that over the course of the last week the National Party have had a lot of information that they have chosen not to share that could have cleared things up much more quickly, Hipkins said."
"Over the weekend both Mr Muller and Michael Woodhouse made some very strong comments about the release of this information and how unacceptable it was when it is clear they knew how it came to be released and chose not to share that information."
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/health-minister-chris-hipkins-criticises-national-for-sitting-on-sensitive-covid-19-patient-information.html
Maybe the reason Todd Muller is so mad at them all is because he was left out?
Naturally the Herald online is trying its best to avoid any of the unpleasantness.
Listened a significant amount of Heather duplicity-Allen's broadcast yesterday and today and it was a real experience listening to how much she didn't talk about this incredible scandal by the Nats.
She even defended Woodhouse! And claimed she knows where the homeless man fabrication came from.
Hey Heather, why don’t you do your adopted country a favour and release this info because it’s ripping our democracy apart.
The media clean-up gang will be out in full force from tomorrow.
Better still, send her back to South Africa.
God it Friday night and I have had a full on week.
Re the Nats,………ha ha ha ha ha ha. Its about time they were exposed.