Later Todd

Written By: - Date published: 1:37 pm, June 21st, 2017 - 127 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, national/act government, Politics, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags:

Todd Barclay has announced that he will not stand in the 2017 General Election for the Clutha-Southland Seat.

Congratulations to Newsroom for doing the real work of the fourth estate.

Now the focus will be on Bill English and why he sought to deceive the New Zealand people and hide the truth of what happened.

And some tweets …

127 comments on “Later Todd ”

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  1. weka 1
    21 June 2017 at 1:42 pm

    Lol the blue men (no idea who they are though).

  2. weka 2
    21 June 2017 at 1:43 pm

    Did I get this right, the was announced with a press release, no-one from National has fronted up to the media yet? Is English still doing a press conference at 2pm?

  3. Macro 3
    21 June 2017 at 1:45 pm

    Oh dear! How SAD!! Neva Mind..
    Such a distinguished Parliamentary career.

  4. Andre 4
    21 June 2017 at 1:47 pm

    Now comes all the spin about how firm decisive action was taken, which papers over how the senior Nats covered this up for months.

  5. Ad 5
    21 June 2017 at 1:58 pm

    I wanted him to stay. Just for the smell.

    It’s the only purely political mistake this lot have made in nearly the whole term.

    Prime Minister, advice for you:

    Get yourself on the next plane to Bermuda,
    pop open a bevvy,
    and get yourself a fresh story for the weekend.

    • Bearded Git 5.1
      21 June 2017 at 3:03 pm

      He will be around for the next 3 months as an example of the lying toerags National prefers as MP’s. Big mistake-he should have resigned.

  6. David Mac 6
    21 June 2017 at 1:59 pm

    Just often enough for us to keep believing in it democracy works.

    He’s departing because the people spoke.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1
      21 June 2017 at 2:27 pm

      Whereas he should be departing because he’s going to jail.

      Of course, he should have gone to jail last year.

      • David Mac 6.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 4:19 pm

        That would not be the move of someone motivated by love. He has paid a high price. My life got better when I invested my revenge energy into other pursuits.

        We can’t go around banging up everyone we don’t like in Dracoland man. We’ll have to rehabilitate the prick. Good looking boy, when do the Chippendales audition for new dancers?

        • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 5:35 pm

          That would not be the move of someone motivated by love.

          Really? You sure about that?

          There is Light and Dark in the universe that often comes from the same source.

          He has paid a high price.

          He hasn’t paid any price and that’s the problem. MPs and the rich tend to not pay for their crimes and then go on to keep doing them.

    • Red 6.2
      21 June 2017 at 6:20 pm

      Off to flat with Darren Hughes in the U.K. That’s where all dodgy MPs of all persuasions go, Phillip field, David benson tennis ball pope john Kirk ………..

      • Sacha 6.2.1
        21 June 2017 at 8:04 pm

        Sounds like a great reality tv pitch. Go for it!

        • dukeofurl 6.2.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 8:20 pm

          I have a Title , – House of Shame.
          We could be co -executive Producers !

        • Halfcrown 6.2.1.2
          22 June 2017 at 9:25 am

          @6.2.1 Sacha wrote

          “Sounds like a great reality tv pitch. Go for it!”

          You don’t know how near you are to the truth there Sacha. In the 80’s there was a TV series ” The New Statesman” about a Tory MP called Alan B’Stard.
          This little snot from Southland looks like him and acts like him. The scary bit about it on the TV it was a comedy whereas this obnoxious little snot is for real.

      • North 6.2.2
        21 June 2017 at 8:43 pm

        You missed Gilmore.

  7. dukeofurl 7
    21 June 2017 at 2:06 pm

    he gets more than 3 months paid leave, as I doubt he will be showing his face in the electorate before the election

    This is a smack in the face for Hooten, he was all over twitter saying Bill English cant sack him . Well he just did, in the usual national party way by offering money.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.1
      21 June 2017 at 2:28 pm

      Well he just did, in the usual national party way by offering money.

      [citation needed]

      • dukeofurl 7.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 4:23 pm

        Nothing is said but we have a hint in the ‘leaders budget money’ which was paid to Dickens. Why wouldnt they pay out an MP as well.?

        They have a long string of ‘unmovable Mps’ who move on.

        from recollection , not all the leaders budget is audited by the Auditor general.
        I dont know the exact numbers but nationals leaders budget was over $7 mill per year 5 years ago

    • weka 7.2
      21 June 2017 at 2:37 pm

      technically English didn’t sack him (he can’t). And the pay off for National is keeping their easy majority in the house.

      • Red 7.2.1
        21 June 2017 at 6:24 pm

        Pragmatic decision in the honest John mold, hence why we have national government for the last 9 years and will do so after September for another 3

        • WILD KATIPO 7.2.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 7:17 pm

          I’m glad you used the word ‘ mold’.

          You have in one fell and spectacular infusion of originality and brilliant concordance with orthodox literacy used the justifiably correct and excellently descriptive term to outline in resounding fashion the inherent quality’s present in that once esteemed but now proven to be in such utterly unmitigated terms the most fraudulently corrupt and self serving Prime Minister New Zealand has ever had the tragic misfortune to ever have had to endure.

          The correct term and spelling you were looking for is ‘ mould’.

          However, … depending on whether we choose to use the English version or the American English version… mold probably would have done the trick just as well , mate.

        • Gabby 7.2.1.2
          22 June 2017 at 12:47 am

          in the honest John mold, ie plastering over a world of deeper shit.

    • Kevin 7.3
      21 June 2017 at 3:14 pm

      Takes time to organise the cushy directorships.

      Looking forward to the police prosecution now and this little toe rag serving time. (Wishful thinking).

    • mordecai 7.4
      21 June 2017 at 9:07 pm

      Probably cheaper than a by-election though?

  8. Dorothy Bulling 8
    21 June 2017 at 2:09 pm

    Where does Glenys Dickson figure in all this? Although she was the innocent and wronged party in all this, the fact remains that she secured a sum of “hush money”, that with her many years of experience, she must have been aware of the source of some of the money. Does this make her, effectively a blackmailer?

    • weka 8.1
      21 June 2017 at 2:28 pm

      How does that make her a blackmailer?

      Given that it’s unusual to use the PM fund, I can quite easily see she wouldn’t have known the source of the money.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.2
      21 June 2017 at 2:30 pm

      You need to read this post and thus get yourself educated.

      Really, you should never listen to the oily one as he thicker than two short planks and less educated.

    • lprent 8.3
      21 June 2017 at 2:32 pm

      It was severance pay. From what it sounds like, it was a forced resignation due to the actions of another parliamentary employee – Todd Barclay.. Where did you get the idea that there was a confidentiality condition? Basically you are just wrong.

      Oh that’s right – I believe it was from the idiot who lied about making formal complaints to their employer – Parliamentary services.

    • David Mac 8.4
      21 June 2017 at 2:35 pm

      Not a blackmailer because there is every chance that if Glenys had of stayed on anything she still enjoyed about her job after Bill left would of been taken from her.

      A bit like the chat Bill had with Todd earlier today. “Sorry sport, you’re going to have to launch yourself at your own sword.”

    • Ad 8.5
      21 June 2017 at 2:39 pm

      Awesome slur there Dorothy.
      Great to see you Nat supporters poisoning your own wells.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.6
      21 June 2017 at 3:27 pm

      I know, how about we look at the law?

      Walk with me, if you will, through s117.

      Subsection (a) sets out that a person who “dissuades or attempts to dissuade a person, by threats, bribes, or other corrupt means, from giving evidence in any cause or matter (whether civil or criminal[)]” commits an offence punishable by up to seven years imprisonment. Subsection (e) furthers the ambit of this section by adding that a person who “willfully attempts in any other way to obstruct, prevent, pervert, or defeat the course of justice in New Zealand” is also guilty of the same offence.

      Clear so far? Good.

      Now take a look at a few of the quotes that have come out from the key National players in this scandal:

      Bill English’s statement that a “larger than normal settlement […] part-paid from the Prime Minister’s budget in order to avoid potential legal action” takes on a bit of a different light, now, doesn’t it.

      More to the point, presuming for the moment that the statement Dickson has given to Police about her interactions with various high-up National functionaries is accurate [and I see no reason, at this point to doubt it], what are we to make of her being told that going all the way to Court would make things “difficult” for her and her family? Or, for that matter, the very pointed emphasis that she’d be singlehandedly responsible for “[taking] down the National Party” if she persisted with her police complaint.

      By the looks of things there’s been several crimes committed by National MPs and assorted hanger’s on.

      Blackmail? Nope, just bringing those possible crimes to light.

      • Red 8.6.1
        21 June 2017 at 6:28 pm

        Did she refuse to give evidence or just withdraw her complaint

        • Draco T Bastard 8.6.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 6:32 pm

          Sounds like you’re trying to blame the victim as is normal for RWNJs.

          • Red 8.6.1.1.1
            21 June 2017 at 6:37 pm

            oooh touchy today draco, get a poor mark at school , just raising a legal point to iprent legal arguement, may have no merit at all but I don’t know, now back to your homework,

        • Gabby 8.6.1.2
          22 June 2017 at 12:50 am

          It’s a shame she hasn’t named the ‘official’ who enquired after the wellbeing of her family.

  9. Aaron 9
    21 June 2017 at 2:31 pm

    It’s a shame he’s gone actually, a guy like Todd is pure gold to the opposition!

    • Enough is Enough 9.1
      21 June 2017 at 2:39 pm

      I agree

      I was hoping he would cling on so we could hammer the Tory boy for the next 90 days. Unfortunately now it will be yesterday’s news by the weekend,

      • roadrage 9.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 2:54 pm

        Rubbish. Todd in order to win favor has gone in a timed fashion as English has to distract from the huge budget in health fiasco. As per usual get the bad news out all at once.

    • RJL 9.2
      21 June 2017 at 3:00 pm

      Except that he isn’t gone. Still in Parliament, still voting for National, still getting paid.

      Barclay should resign now; and Bill English should too. Both lied to NZ public in an attempt to cover up an illegal act.

      • mauī 9.2.1
        21 June 2017 at 5:34 pm

        I’m sure the New Zealand business community will identify. Have an out of control manager being a complete asshole to your staff. Keep them on for 3 months.

    • Red 9.3
      21 June 2017 at 6:32 pm

      I agree but this is offset by our official opposition( ( the 26 per centres) been pretty dead set useless and a joke for 9 years

  10. Michael who failed Civics 10
    21 June 2017 at 3:12 pm

    Now that Barclay’s parliamentary career is over, I hope the Police reopen their investigation and charge him over his criminal offending. Nothing less that a prison sentence is will do (BTW, I’m sure Barclay’s former constituents in the Milton prison will give him their customary welcome to new inmates).

    • Kevin 10.1
      21 June 2017 at 3:17 pm

      “(BTW, I’m sure Barclay’s former constituents in the Milton prison will give him their customary welcome to new inmates).”

      Apparently Slur John knows all about that…

  11. D'Esterre 11
    21 June 2017 at 3:48 pm

    If this were a country where pollies acted ethically, Bill English would resign. But I’m not holding my breath….

  12. Gristle 12
    21 June 2017 at 4:01 pm

    Criminal Things still to be resolved:
    1. Was Tod Barcley responsible for illegally recording Ms Dickson
    2. Were people in the National Party responsible for obstucting justice, or trying to
    3. Were these same people interfering with a witness

    Civil Litigation Things still to be resolved
    4. Was Ms Dickson defamed by claims that she was the subject of employment discipline procedures.

    Political Things to be resolved
    5. Will Bill English credibility deficit be such that it affects electoral outcomes.

    Travel Things to be resolved.
    6. During the remainder of his life as an MP, will Tod ever visit any part of Southland that isn’t associated with Queenstown

  13. dukeofurl 13
    21 June 2017 at 4:09 pm

    The internal war in national as the factionas battle it out over who was responsible for the ‘mess’ becoming public will be a delight to behold

    “Taping scandal: National Party board member who advised Glenys Dickson to withdraw Todd Barclay complaint named”

    Notice no byline on this story !
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11880114

    Its an internal hit job on Glenda Hughes, she was the one sent down south to smooth over the party ructions after pre selection but ended up joining the anti- Barclay faction

    • ianmac 13.1
      21 June 2017 at 4:27 pm

      Not sure dukeofurl how “Its an internal hit job on Glenda Hughes,…”
      or how do you know she ended up as the “anti-Barclay faction.”

      ” Inquiries by the Herald have revealed Glenda Hughes was the board member Dickson referred to as making the call.

      Hughes is a former police officer and national sporting champion who now works as a media and public relations consultant.

      She holds a number of high-profile positions as a director on the NZ Racing Board along with her position as a director on the National Party board.”

      • dukeofurl 13.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 6:14 pm

        Just read the Newsroom stories more closely. They said she came part of the anti Barclay faction

        That herald story came from the beehive, as it doesnt have by line.

        An old trick as that would pin point the obvious.

    • weka 13.2
      21 June 2017 at 5:35 pm

      “Its an internal hit job on Glenda Hughes,”

      Do you mean she was set up then, or is being named now to undermine her?

  14. Cinny 14
    21 June 2017 at 4:16 pm

    Question please, would the Minister of Finance be responsible for signing off any outgoings from the PMs ‘slush fund’?

    • dukeofurl 14.1
      21 June 2017 at 8:37 pm

      Likely only the PM at the time. Thats why its referred to as ‘leaders Fund’

      • Cinny 14.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 10:09 pm

        Thanks, so Key would have done the payout all on his own, without having to ask the man who was looking after the books first.

        • RJL 14.1.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 10:31 pm

          Don’t be ridiculous.

          a) Key wouldn’t have done anything of the sort “on his own”. At the very least, there would be administrators who would actually process the payment.

          b) The context is a dysfunctional relationship between English’s successor and English’s ex-staff, and English admits to knowing that a payment was made and that it was “larger” than expected. English probably wouldn’t be a part of the documented approval chain. However, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t know where the payment came from. Even if he wasn’t directly told, he has been in Parliament for 27 years (as long as Barclay has been alive). English knows how Parliament works and would know full well where the payment came from.

          • Cinny 14.1.1.1.1
            22 June 2017 at 1:40 pm

            From your answer RJL and thanks for that, it seems to be just how I expected. English would have known all about it. Especially if he was the one responsible for finance at the time. He appear to be denying any knowledge of details yesterday, carefully chosen words no doubt.

            • Cinny 14.1.1.1.1.1
              22 June 2017 at 3:00 pm

              Awesome, Hyde explained it on the wireless. An MP has a fund, if there is not enough money left in their fund at the end of the year to pay any expenses, Parliamentary Services will automatically take it out of their parties ‘leaders fund’ to settle the debt.

  15. RedLogix 15
    21 June 2017 at 4:29 pm

    English will survive, they have no choice this close to an election.

    Bill was just too close to the people involved, and rather than seeing and managing the political risk upfront and early, he let the matter drift hoping it would either resolve itself (which it looked like it had) or he could control any fallout.

    Helen Clark made the same political mistake with Philip Field, not recognising early enough the potential for real damage.

    Personally I thought Field got a rough deal, his actions were stupidly ill-conceived and self serving, but I never saw any malice. By contrast everything about Barclay stinks of a proto-John Key clone, another slime-ball sociopath that frankly National is well rid of.

    The real damage to English will be internal, his own people have seen him stumble and they will be taking notes. Unless he wins this election convincingly, he’s going to be retired to the back paddock within a year.

    • weka 15.1
      21 June 2017 at 5:37 pm

      “English will survive, they have no choice this close to an election.”

      I think so too, but they might not have a choice. Depends on how long this plays out for. If the police end up charging Barclay (or investigating the party), that’s not going to go well during the election campaign.

      MSM will be all over this, which is lovely really 🙂

      • RedLogix 15.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 6:25 pm

        The role of the Police also attracting attention here. More than a few journos drawing unfavourable comparisons with how they get treated if they step on the wrong toes.

        Oh and Barclay’s open and shut defamation against Dickson is an absolute doozy.

        • weka 15.1.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 6:38 pm

          what’s the open and shut defamation bit?

          • RedLogix 15.1.1.1.1
            21 June 2017 at 6:46 pm

            I probably should have prefaced that with an “alleged”.

            Watch this:

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

            • One Anonymous Bloke 15.1.1.1.1.1
              21 June 2017 at 7:47 pm

              Barclay was careful (slimy little piece of National Party that he is) not to identify the “staff member”.

              • Ross …
                21 June 2017 at 7:57 pm

                But he said he complained about a staff member. Presumably there’s a record of that complaint unless of course he simply invented the story. But the inference was that he’d received complaints about the person he paid hush money to. Maybe the Privacy Commissioner could ask Todd Barclay for a copy of his complaint. Being the honourable young man that he is, I’m sure he’d be keen to assist.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  22 June 2017 at 6:17 am

                  I think it’s fairly clear that he made up the complaint, which is why people are describing it as defamatory.

              • weka …
                21 June 2017 at 8:01 pm

                Wonder how much he’s paid in lawyer’s fees in the past few years. His whole communication looks like it’s been run via a legal expert.

  16. Ovid 16
    21 June 2017 at 4:43 pm

    One thing that came of this is a stronger profile for Newsroom. I made a donation to them yesterday because of this and I’d encourage people here to think about doing the same if they have the means.

  17. Once was Tim 17
    21 June 2017 at 5:53 pm

  18. One Anonymous Bloke 18
    21 June 2017 at 6:06 pm

    *Assume David Attenborough accent*

    The young Nat, bewildered, has learned a bitter lesson. Mimicking the elders’ behaviour in public does not curry favour. He returns to his gutter to lick his wounds.

    • mauī 18.1
      21 June 2017 at 7:14 pm

      In one months time he will re-emerge as a fully fledged gutter hog. Finding other gutter hogs they will visit websites and proceed to gnaw through whatever they can in the hope of redemption.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 18.1.1
        21 June 2017 at 7:39 pm

        If he stays out of prison, I’m sure Teamtalk will have him.

      • WILD KATIPO 18.1.2
        21 June 2017 at 7:46 pm

        ‘ But sadly , with the approach of the harsh electoral winter , and is the fate of so many other of the Greater spotted gutter hogs ,… the ready supply of websites is simply not sufficient to feed their voracious political appetites , and in a weakened state , withdraw into a deep dark hole,… and die. ‘

    • ianmac 18.2
      21 June 2017 at 7:39 pm

      Great OAB. It works with the right accent.

  19. Robert Guyton 19
    21 June 2017 at 6:30 pm

    Sarah Dowie
    “”It was the right decision for Todd – he’s a young man with a bright future. As he said in his statement he’s putting the party ahead of his employment dispute and I wish him all the best.

    “He’s a really hard-working MP but it’s time for him to move on,” she said.”

    His employment dispute?

    Yeah, right.

    • weka 19.1
      21 June 2017 at 6:39 pm

      Bet lots of Southlanders are calling it that though. ‘Say it enough and it becomes true’, Crosby Textor rulebook.

    • simonm 19.2
      21 June 2017 at 6:41 pm

      Sarah’s always welcome to join him if she likes – perhaps they could start a consultancy together…

  20. Ian 20
    21 June 2017 at 7:17 pm

    Well thats the end of that. Do you think Mr 7 % has made any traction over this very important event.

    • ianmac 20.1
      21 June 2017 at 7:41 pm

      Ian hardly the point is it? Not for us really. Suppose you wonder will Bill’s popularity take a hit. Not the point either.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 20.2
      21 June 2017 at 7:43 pm

      Look everyone, here’s a bitter old fool to tell us he’s going to vote for criminal scum no matter what they do.

      • Ian 20.2.1
        21 June 2017 at 9:33 pm

        I honestly don’t know what all the fuss is about.Everything is recorded these days.The so called criminal act was hardly the crime of the century.Just a beat up by desperados on all sides in my opinion.

        • Robert Guyton 20.2.1.1
          21 June 2017 at 9:38 pm

          It has to be “the crime of the century” before you’ll take interest, Ian? All other crimes should be dismissed because you regard them as minor?
          Concerning world view you hold there, Ian.

          • Ian 20.2.1.1.1
            21 June 2017 at 9:58 pm

            Sorry mate.your cryptic logic is good but you have missed my point.In1 week this non story Will be dead
            It has provided a breathing space for Andrre Little to pontificate on why he can’t get any tractionin the polls.

        • Ed 20.2.1.2
          21 June 2017 at 9:45 pm

          Trolling away….

        • the pigman 20.2.1.3
          21 June 2017 at 9:46 pm

          Let’s not forget when Bradley Ambrose *accidentally* left his dictaphone on the table at the Banks/Keys cup of tea, the police obtained warrants without notice and raided media establishments across Auckland to seize those tapes.

          Exact same offense under s216B of the Crimes Act. Double standard, much?

        • RJL 20.2.1.4
          21 June 2017 at 10:34 pm

          You don’t know what the fuss is about because you are a pathetic fool, Ian.

    • WILD KATIPO 20.3
      21 June 2017 at 7:53 pm

      Twas a terrible day , yes it twas,
      When th’ media was a buzz just because,
      Young Toddles had taped
      Some words that did ape ,
      His incompetence , spite and his guile,

      So in confessing to Bill ,
      He was so advised,
      To let all those sleeping dogs lie.
      And so with that grand counsel ,
      Carried on his discourse
      Thinking that would be that for awhile.

      Unbeknownst to him ,
      The story wore thin,
      When the news latched onto a feed
      The land then was filled
      Of collusion with Bill,
      And nay story matched up with his deed…

      ” Oh , – woe is me !” , Todds was heard to lament,
      As Bill spake two different tales,
      Of one it was said ,
      ”I cannot recall ! ”
      Of the other
      ”We met face to face in the hall !!!”

      So Toddles was shown,
      With his cover being blown,
      His friendship with Bill now was over
      And all that remains,
      Of this sorry refrain,
      Be resignation
      – Like a pig no longer in clover !!!

      • RedLogix 20.3.1
        21 June 2017 at 8:12 pm

        There was a young man from Gore
        Who thought the Party rather a bore
        So with tonsils emergent, he babbled effulgent,
        And regretted he’d ever been born.

        Yours is way better WK, but I had to give it a go 🙂

    • Ed 20.4
      21 June 2017 at 9:44 pm

      Will the levels of inequality and poverty in the country persuade you to abandon National?

  21. Robert Guyton 21
    21 June 2017 at 8:20 pm

    Double dipper
    Caught zipper
    Bodice-ripper
    Ticket-clipper
    Nip-sipper
    Flop-flipper
    Young nipper
    Day-tripper

    All over
    Blue Rover

  22. mac1 22
    22 June 2017 at 12:12 am

    Todd Barclay had not much of a clue tha’
    If he told what was less than the truth- Ah,
    And lied to his boss
    He’d be given the toss-
    Told to toddle from Southland and Clutha.

  23. RRM 23
    22 June 2017 at 6:48 pm

    Say what you like about Todd Barclay.. atl least his staff member who he abused and screwed over was GETTING PAID at a level above the minimum wage!

    Vote Labour to protect worker’s pay and conditions!
    Oh, wait…

    Vote labour for a better minimum wage!
    Oh, wait..

    Vote labour for a rental WoF that will prevent the poor from being exploited by unscrupulous landlords with substandard accommodation!
    Oh, wait…

    Vote labour to curb immigration and give kiwis a fair go at jobs!
    Oh, wait…

    Vote Labour, no principles, just lies and empty slogans. Now with ZERO credibility on their 3 main campaign platforms.

    • Ed 23.1
      22 June 2017 at 6:49 pm

      Troll.

    • simonm 23.2
      22 June 2017 at 7:00 pm

      Gosh, aren’t you clever? You should be working for Crosby Textor on National’s coming election campaign. It really looks like you’ve got the skills to repeat the amazing success they had in the UK elections for Theresa and the Tories. You’ve sure convinced me with your fabulous debating skills!
      Oh, wait…