Police scotches dirty politics rumours about Clarke Gayford

Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, May 2nd, 2018 - 209 comments
Categories: democracy under attack, Dirty Politics, Media, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: ,

In a really unusual move the police have emphatically dealt to rumours that have been circulating about Clarke Gayford.

From David Fisher at the Herald:

Jacinda Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford has been under an unprecedented assault of baseless rumour and false innuendo with the apparent intent of dragging down the Prime Minister.

For the past seven months, Gayford has been the subject – on social media and via word of mouth – of untrue allegations and accusations.

The sheer scale and nature of the claims have led to Police Commissioner Mike Bush taking the extraordinary step of signing off a media release that rejects the speculation.

The Police National Headquarters statement said: “While in general we do not respond to enquiries which seek to confirm if individuals are under police investigation, on this occasion we can say that Mr Gayford is not and has not been the subject of any police inquiry, nor has he been charged in relation to any matter.”

And guess where the rumours have been coming from?

Media commentator and Public Address blogger Russell Brown said the comments appeared to be driven by a “troll pack” of users who were pushing the false rumour on the social media platform.

Dirty Politics author Nicky Hager said when contacted that there were people who used social media to leverage gossip and rumour to gain political advantage.

“They are trying to gain partisan advantage through damaging the Prime Minister by a campaign of innuendo.”

Hager said the aim was to steer the public’s political focus away from policy to personal issues which didn’t even need to be true.

“They are trying to find personal or moral things — true or untrue — to smear and marginalise the political figures. It’s never playing with a straight bat, never considering issues.

National is distancing itself from the rumours.  The attack on someone outside of politics to try and harm a politician is despicable and brings back strong memories of dirty politics.

209 comments on “Police scotches dirty politics rumours about Clarke Gayford ”

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  1. roy cartland 1
    2 May 2018 at 10:38 am

    Oh man, what a smack-down. Great to know we aren’t as pathetic as we were in the old Key days.

    • notgandalf 1.1
      3 May 2018 at 8:56 am

      I have not heard any rumour of anything illegal either, and dont care.
      Occasionally I hear about infidelity, financial mismanagement, someones family member imprisoned, someone has a drinking problem etc etc, and if I care enough about the subject, I check news feeds to confirm it actually happened before commenting on it.
      Seems to me there are a lot of commentors on this site and others that are being clearly warned that any innuendo suggesting, or pointing the finger to potential instigators of any rumours are also likely to be targets for legal action (and I guess by proxy the owners/moderators of the site). Honestly held opinions are one thing eg: “I dont like so and so he seems like a wally to me”, however stating or inferring that someone DID something when there is no basis in fact is inviting a legal response (and considerable expense in defence).
      Just sayin, be careful, with freedom to comment comes consequence.

  2. mickysavage 2
    2 May 2018 at 10:39 am

    I said a week ago “It makes you wonder if National has some dirt on Clarke and is shopping it round.”

    https://thestandard.org.nz/bottom-feeding-fish/

    I had heard the rumours. I am glad that this has been responded to in such emphatic terms.

    The title of that post (bottom feeding fish) applies very strongly to those who had been circulating the rumours.

    • tc 2.1
      2 May 2018 at 11:14 am

      Wouldn’t be an issue if there were consequences for what’s effectively slander.

      But then we do have a media landscape that supports and uses these mudslingers as content drivers hiding behind well funded anonymity with lawyers at the ready should they be required.

      • Unicus 2.1.1
        3 May 2018 at 1:52 pm

        Envy is the motivation for this NP sponsored dirt fest .

        Gayford is intelligent interesting witty good looking and in a classic kiwi way humble .

        Really there is nothing left for. the misery sponges of the right to attack him with other than woefully weak slander

        Gayford like Jacinda is a gift for our nation – a man of a new and better stamp .

        Ritchie eat your heart out !

  3. funstigator 3
    2 May 2018 at 10:46 am

    I peruse a few blogs regularly and had never even heard that there were any rumours. Even if the guy is obviously a bit of a smarmy dick there isn’t much excuse to throw mud. [a further smear is merely deleted]

    [lprent: Banned for 2 weeks for peddling what is probably faux news ‘fact’ without a verifiable link. And another two weeks for being a complete fuckwit doing it on this post. Have ‘fun’ with that you miserable dimwit. ]

    • faroutdude 3.1
      2 May 2018 at 3:52 pm

      Heavy response to a mild comment that.
      What was the issue or ‘faux news’?
      That the current PM had tweeted support (or love) for a group [Deleted – defamatory and completely ridiculous assertion – MS]

      Going to ban me as well? – that would make you look like an enabler in my book.

      [Looks like we have a couple of frustrated twitter trolls visiting – MS]

      [lprent: You can almost hear them getting off on chortling over how smart they are. A whiff of incel semen is in the air. ]

      • faroutdude 3.1.1
        2 May 2018 at 4:48 pm

        With all due respect, what a load of bullshit.
        You have just been given verifiable facts and links.
        There are no defamatory assertions.
        Why don’t you be honest and say that you don’t like inconvenient truths instead.

        [Your assertion went along the lines of Jacinda likes band’s music, band in a song (arguably) advocated violence therefore Jacinda approves of violence. Looks defamatory to me – MS]

        [lprent: Does to me as well. Especially the the dimwit expressed a speculation as fact in the one I saw. I suspect that this one is the same idiot. But that is speculation, I’ll just add them to the probationers. ]

        • Gabby 3.1.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 5:46 pm

          I like the Rolling Stones fartoutrude, but I’m not a midnight rambler type.

  4. Marcus Morris 4
    2 May 2018 at 10:55 am

    Classic Crosby-Textor tactics.

  5. Michelle 5
    2 May 2018 at 11:00 am

    A troll pack not the same troll pack that featured in Hagers’ book ‘Dirty politics’

    • veutoviper 5.1
      2 May 2018 at 11:22 am

      Not so sure about that.
      Gayford has been the subject of many posts and much innuendo on WO since the election.

      I also must check whether Hooton has again departed again from Twitter after his brief return.

      No – Hooton is still there and tweeting about it. Supports the NZ Police statement, but not the PM’s.

      • JustPassingThrough 5.1.1
        3 May 2018 at 6:28 pm

        “Gayford has been the subject of many posts and much innuendo on WO since the election.”

        Links please.

        • veutoviper 5.1.1.1
          4 May 2018 at 11:31 am

          Go there yourself. Most of us here refuse to link to that site. It has a search facility you can use to search for posts on Gayford. Unless they have been hastily removed in the last day or so.

    • lprent 5.2
      2 May 2018 at 1:14 pm

      Probably much the same group. But some of the old (now moribund) lauda finem idiots have been suspected as well.

  6. Stuart Munro 6
    2 May 2018 at 11:01 am

    This is the Gnats – there’s no rational reason for anyone to support their interminable record of failure – negativity and DP is all they have to offer.

    • James 6.1
      2 May 2018 at 12:03 pm

      Stating it as fact with no proof makes you as bad as the people spreading the other rumour.

      • ankerawshark 6.1.1
        2 May 2018 at 1:11 pm

        Actually James one of the problems for the Nats now is they were caught running a smear machine out of the PM’s office. Unfortunately past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour. Well researched phenomena…. So it is now something the Nats have to live with. That suspicion will fall on them when these things happen.

        • James 6.1.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 4:39 pm

          Citation that the mats have been caught running a smear from the pms office – because I have seen nothing to back up this claim of fact.

          • McFlock 6.1.1.1.1
            2 May 2018 at 4:42 pm

            Was Ede in the PM’s office?

            • Tricledrown 6.1.1.1.1.1
              2 May 2018 at 6:49 pm

              The PM Key admitted regularly texting whale oil from Parliament.
              Funally Key stopped when outed right wing media covered his ass.

          • mickysavage 6.1.1.1.2
            2 May 2018 at 9:08 pm

            You have to be freaking joking. Did the past 6 years not happen?

      • McFlock 6.1.2
        2 May 2018 at 1:55 pm

        That depends on whether the claims are equally as bad and whether the subjects of those claims have a well-documented past history of it.

        The claim against the nats isn’t as bad, and they have a well-documented past history of doing similar.

        So I’m not sure stuart’s fabricating horrendous rumours so much as making a probably accurate educated guess.

      • Stuart Munro 6.1.3
        2 May 2018 at 2:10 pm

        The Gnats have earned their reputation James.

  7. indiana 7
    2 May 2018 at 11:02 am

    It could be the Vegans, not the RWNJs – they probably don’t like his fishing antics. Vegans use social media too.

    • Siobhan 7.1
      2 May 2018 at 2:34 pm

      Why vegans?, I love fish and chips and would happily shoot my own food if I had access to guns/game…but, now that you mention it, I think Clarke Gayford and Paula Bennett are both helping draw attention to a horrific animal ‘sport’. If you want to catch a fish to eat…go catch a fish and reel it in pronto…don’t ‘play’ with the poor thing

    • Matthew Whitehead 7.2
      2 May 2018 at 10:33 pm

      As a vegetarian I would never bother to spread rumours about someone just because they like to fish. That’s just incredibly dumb. You would end up having to sabotage basically EVERYONE else by that logic, as vegans and vegetarians are a small minority.

      It’s also worth noting who the people peddling this rumour are and what ELSE they think, and that’s what makes it so obvious this is political.

  8. James 8
    2 May 2018 at 11:05 am

    Personally I don’t believe that National have anything to do with this.

    It would be good if the people on twitter who have been spreading this are held to account and dragged via the courts.

    I don’t like the guy – but there is nothing that makes this kind of bullshit ok.

    • ScottGN 8.1
      2 May 2018 at 11:24 am

      A week ago an erstwhile work colleague who is about as National Party as you can get, texted me to say he’d heard Clarke had been a naughty boy and maybe time for a new leader. So while perhaps National weren’t behind the rumour some of them sure have enjoyed peddling it around.

      • Anne 8.1.1
        2 May 2018 at 3:50 pm

        …while perhaps National weren’t behind the rumour some of them sure have enjoyed peddling it around.

        That’s a certainty.

        Audrey Young is having a hissy fit because Jacinda Ardern dared to refer to “Dirty Politics” in her brief response earlier today. According to Audrey, she is thus alleging the National Party are responsible fore the rumours and suggesting she (Jacinda) has stooped to the same level as the rumour-mongers.

        Dirty Politics went beyond the National Party. They just buried their collective heads and pretended it never happened. Well, the chickens are coming home to roost National. You could have knocked it on the head once and for all and you didn’t… so don’t don’t cry a river Audrey Young. National brought it on themselves.

        That makes her calculated reference to “dirty politics” in her statement unfair on National.

        As she well knows, ‘dirty politics’ is no longer a generic phrase, but was the title of the Nicky Hager book about some low-life operatives associated with the former government.

        Ardern has no reason to cast a slur on the National Party by innuendo.

        That is to stoop to the standards of the peddlers of rumour.

        http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/audrey-young-low-life-gossipers-peddling-false-clarke-gayford-rumours-a-distraction-for-pm/

        • Ed 8.1.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 8:52 pm

          Audrey Young’s brother is a National MP

          • Muttonbird 8.1.1.1.1
            2 May 2018 at 9:13 pm

            Yep. Dirty Politics is the name for National party smear operations. This is one of them. They are your guys Audrey. Own it for God’s sake.

          • Melanie Scott 8.1.1.1.2
            3 May 2018 at 7:29 am

            Her father was a National cabinet minister. Always wondered how she could be a ‘political journalist’ for a major newpaper, in a country with so few news outlets, and a political commentator too. Clearly doing some deflecting for National by attacking the Prime Minister rather than the dirty politics in action here.

            • Judith Tizard 8.1.1.1.2.1
              4 May 2018 at 1:43 pm

              Audrey has relatives, true. But so do lots of others. And she is a good journalist who has tried hard to be fair over many years to many politicians. There was a convention that politicians’ families were left out of public debate as much as possible. It applies to the PM’s family and to Jonathan and Vern Young’s family. You may not agree with her but I defend her and others’ right to be journalists.

              • Anne …
                4 May 2018 at 3:41 pm

                Yes Judith Tizard that is fair and square. I have read some very good articles by Audrey Young. She is a competent journalist which is a breed that seems to be slowly disappearing.

                Unfortunately on this occasion she has blotted her copy book. Accusing Jacinda Ardern of alleging the National Party was behind the latest rumours by using the words ‘dirty politics’ was a step too far. The Prime Minister was merely calling it for what we all know it is… dirty politics.

                That a book about an historical case of dirty politicking was titled “Dirty Politics” is irrelevant to the current controversy.

    • mpledger 8.2
      2 May 2018 at 11:26 am

      Just out on interest – what sort of contact have you had with this guy to be able to say you don’t like him?

      • James 8.2.1
        2 May 2018 at 12:05 pm

        Fair point point – I don’t like his public persona- which I admit may or may not represent what he is like as an individual.

        • ianmac 8.2.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 12:52 pm

          You are an awful person James. Spiteful. A few days ago you were spreading the rumours. Hint. Smirk. Hypocritical.

          • James 8.2.1.1.1
            2 May 2018 at 4:41 pm

            Try reading my comments and you see you are wrong.

          • Ed 8.2.1.1.2
            2 May 2018 at 8:54 pm

            James and his ilk were probably circulating the rumours.
            It they were, they are scum.

          • Muttonbird 8.2.1.1.3
            2 May 2018 at 9:18 pm

            Clarke Gayford is a good man. I’ve met him professionally and you couldn’t get a nicer bloke.

            The only reason for someone to say they don’t like him, despite never having met him, is they are a sheep who bleats along with his RW flock.

        • ankerawshark 8.2.1.2
          2 May 2018 at 1:08 pm

          http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/05/clarke-gayford-describes-first-date-with-jacinda-ardern-in-uk-interview.html

          Read this James. I am sure you will change your mind about Mr Gayford. I think he is great.

        • tracey 8.2.1.3
          3 May 2018 at 8:05 am

          Why do you know so much about him? I had never heard of him until Ardern became Leader. You are now using the same phrase as Cone Hill.

          • gsays 8.2.1.3.1
            3 May 2018 at 1:06 pm

            You didn’t watch C4 Tracey?
            The sort of kiwi MTV. He was a VJ(?). Video jock.
            Had a pleasant, friendly approachable persona.

          • veutoviper 8.2.1.3.2
            4 May 2018 at 11:25 am

            A lot of people know a lot about Gayford in his own right, and have done so long before he and JA got together.

            For example, I have discussed his current TV series, his increasing work on things like marine sustainability and marine reserves etc here on TS a number of times. Eg in these two posts in just the last few months:

            https://thestandard.org.nz/bottom-feeding-fish/#comment-1478090

            https://thestandard.org.nz/hey-stuart-nash-mauis-dolphins-are-approaching-extinction/#comment-1449784

            Series Two of his “Fish of the Day” TV series is currently showing in NZ on Weds nights at 8pm on Prime TV. It is as much a travel show as a fishing one; this month starts screening in 38 countries worldwide through the National Geographic network (up from 22 countries for the previous series in 2016 and 2017.) He also currently writes weekly for the Travel section of The Herald on Sunday.

            I never listened to him on radio or saw C4 but I do remember him from some years ago in the excellent TV series “Exceptional New Zealanders” and other travel documentaries/series. In more recent years, he has also done things like a series of very short travel promotional videos for Niue (got to keep in with JA’s Dad!). These two are part of the series:

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU5SVn9ml7Q – whales in Niue

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdQ8pBS2r9k – mountain biking in Niue with Ross Ardern

            Increasingly he is becoming more and more involved with DOC and other conservation groups – eg he has just done a promotional video for DOC on the ‘do’s and don’ts’ re Marine Reserves – and he has been involved in Sustainable Coastlines work in NZ for years.

    • Observer Tokoroa 8.3
      2 May 2018 at 11:31 am

      National Horror

      The National Party is rapidly collapsing. It has not once acted honourably since the appointment of John Key as PM. Even Billy English has compromised his integrity.

      It is unprecendented that the Police defend a citizen’s honour.

      Who stood to gain by castrating Clarke Gayford ? That question has but one answer.

      National is collapsing.

      • James 8.3.1
        2 May 2018 at 12:05 pm

        Hahahahaha.

        Grasping at straws there. Collapsing – so far from reality its not funny

        • McFlock 8.3.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 2:01 pm

          Collins has been looking chirpy in the House lately. Bridges… not so much.

        • tracey 8.3.1.2
          3 May 2018 at 8:06 am

          “so far from reality”. Do tell james, you close to the inside? For a guy who expects facts from everyone you are a bit free and easy with wild rhetoric there

    • Ffloyd 8.4
      2 May 2018 at 11:44 am

      James. Have you met him?. Do you know him? Just wondering.

      • James 8.4.1
        2 May 2018 at 12:06 pm

        No and as mentioned above you raise a fair point. I don’t like his public persona which may or may not be representative of him as a person.

        • simbit 8.4.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 1:08 pm

          Everyone’s public persona is their representation as a person…

        • OnceWasTim 8.4.1.2
          2 May 2018 at 1:17 pm

          I’m not particularly fond of your persona either James. The day I accuse you of some dirty sleazy potentially illegal shit, I’ll make my name known and you can sue me.
          Meantime I’ll just continue to regard you as a creepy, insecure, ideologically-driven troll with a little dick looking for constant attention in order to feed your ego. And as I usually do, I’ll try to skip over your contributions

    • Pete 8.5
      2 May 2018 at 11:48 am

      Of course the National Party haven’t had anything to do with it – just their many supporters. Undoubtedly some of them party members.

      The ones Audrey Young calls ‘low-lifes’. There are many of them up and down the country, still in some sort of aftershock about the election.

      What I didn’t like was Young’s bob each way. She didn’t want to be seen to be completely sticking up for Ardern so had to say the PM was nasty commenting as she did. What the hell was that about?

      Ross, Bridges and Mitchell regularly come out with crap. Does she have a go at them?

      • Reality 8.5.1
        2 May 2018 at 12:00 pm

        Audrey Young’s dig at Jacinda for using the term “dirty politics” was her way of saying National had nothing to do with these rumours! Does she think people are totally naive. Dirty politics it was before and dirty politics it is again. What else was Jacinda to call it other than exactly what it is.

        There really are some nasty hateful disgusting people inhabiting NZ. Sadly.

    • ankerawshark 8.6
      2 May 2018 at 12:19 pm

      James, Personally I think it is likely the Nats have something to do with this smear of Gayford. They have done this sort of thing before using Whale Oil and been caught red handed when rawshark hacked WO’s account showing irrefutable truth that a smear machine was being run out of the PM (Key’s office).

      Bridges hasn’t helped himself look in the clear in his response to the smearing of Gayford. (from what I have read so far)…

      BTW have you read the book Dirty Politics James? Are you aware of Crosby Textor’s tactics……….???????

      • Grantoc 8.6.1
        2 May 2018 at 7:11 pm

        You know what, I think NZ First is probably responsible for spreading the rumours about Gayford.

        It suits the conspiracy narratives that they love to believe in.

        This allows that idiot Peters to darkly remind us in melodramatic tones that this is a ‘dark ops’ operation, insinuating, that you know who ‘done it’. The dreaded Nats !

        Seriously though you need to produce your evidence ankerawshark that it is is the Nats – or shut up.

        • SPC 8.6.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 9:40 pm

          Another kiwiblog diversion line … pointing at NZ First (Kiwiblog one of the social media sites that peddled these rumours as it did the one about the former PM’s husband).

          Of course they have a CT mentality – Winston Peters witnessed National bribe his caucus (1990’s), and attack on his party (2005-2008 while in coalition with Labour) and more recenlty the leak about his super overpayments.

          And National and its agents (PM’s office, to social media connections) have a lot of form for black ops.

        • Ankerrawshark 8.6.1.2
          2 May 2018 at 9:40 pm

          Granola I said it was a personal opinion that it was likely the mats. I didn’t say it was a fact.

          My evidence is that they have been caught red handed in the past (ref Dirty Politics) and that past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour (well known in risk assessment): As this is my opinion I am free to express it on this website

        • Et Tu Brute 8.6.1.3
          4 May 2018 at 12:29 pm

          I think no one was behind it, but to add fuel to the fire, Whaleoil admitted before the election they were in the pay of Winston Peters. And a news website that popped up over night was run by former Aotearoa Legalize Cannabis party leader and now Winston Peters fan. They featured the story heavily but it’s all been removed now.

      • Grey Area 8.6.2
        2 May 2018 at 9:04 pm

        BTW have you read the book Dirty Politics James? Are you aware of Crosby Textor’s tactics……….???????

        …… Deafening silence.

        I’d take that as a no then.

        Please DNFTT.

    • joe90 8.7
      2 May 2018 at 12:45 pm

      Personally I don’t believe that National have anything to do with this.

      Oh do fuck off, Jimmy.

      The KB troll pack, and that includes some who received an honourable mention in Hager’s book, have been all over this for months.

    • Robert Guyton 8.8
      2 May 2018 at 3:00 pm

      Personally, I believe…3-0.

    • McFlock 8.9
      2 May 2018 at 4:44 pm

      Bridges doesn’t believe anyone in his caucus did it but he had to warn them that they shouldn’t. Because they’re that sort of high-class crowd.

    • Tricledrown 8.10
      2 May 2018 at 6:54 pm

      James you are full of it.
      After Dirty politic’s Cameron Slater slipped out of the country to visit Israel the home to fake news.
      Slater will no doubt have his hand in this dirty business.

    • Tricledrown 8.11
      3 May 2018 at 1:02 am

      James the guy how to dehumanise your target .
      Good little minion trolling in the back alleys.

    • tracey 8.12
      3 May 2018 at 8:02 am

      You happily read the blogs that spread the rumors james because you said here that you knew the rumours. I still dont know what they are just that they exist. You point the finger to bring others to accoubt blindly ignoring that people like you make it possible

    • Baba Yaga 8.13
      4 May 2018 at 10:32 am

      Soper claims it’s a Labour Party dirty politics job. Slater’s having a fit and threatening to sue everyone in sight. Oh goody…

  9. veutoviper 9
    2 May 2018 at 11:14 am

    Well done.

    As MS says at 2, “I am glad that this has been responded to in such emphatic terms.”

    And I think that the one line statement made by the PM’s Office, as reported and quoted in the RNZ news article says it all:

    ” “I won’t comment on dirty politics. It’s just not what I’m here for.”

    Also interesting that Linda Clark (no e) appears to be acting for Gayford.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/356437/police-quash-clarke-gayford-rumours

  10. patricia bremner 10
    2 May 2018 at 11:28 am

    We are fortunate to have two upstanding outgoing people in the roles of PM and “First Bloke”
    That annoys the trolls on the right. So they make “sh.t up” hoping some sticks.
    Those trolls should sweat. If they have put their name to this they could be in court if Clarke wanted.

    • James 10.1
      2 May 2018 at 12:08 pm

      Let’s not pretend that this didnt happen when National were in power.

      Remember the accusations that key was having affairs with x,y and z.

      • The Fairy Godmother 10.1.1
        2 May 2018 at 12:14 pm

        We have evidence that Key pulled ponytails. It’s fact

        • James 10.1.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 12:20 pm

          So.

          What’s that got to do with the false rumours?

          • simbit 10.1.1.1.1
            2 May 2018 at 1:10 pm

            Speaks to character.

            • james 10.1.1.1.1.1
              2 May 2018 at 5:06 pm

              but nothing to do with the allegation made.

              • In Vino …
                2 May 2018 at 9:28 pm

                To strengthen your claim that there were rumours of John Key was having affairs (I heard no such thing, but I don’t do Twitter) you should name and shame just who x, y, and z were. Otherwise you have no substance to your claim. Man up. Or remain a weasel.

          • Tricledrown 10.1.1.1.2
            2 May 2018 at 7:15 pm

            Pulling ponytails is a sexual dominant fetish.

      • ankerawshark 10.1.2
        2 May 2018 at 12:25 pm

        James, I didn’t hear the rumours of Key having affairs…………..I never saw anything like that on this site…………………….nor did I read anything about it in the msm.
        Who do you think started those rumours about Key? Labour? If that’s what you believe and you have proof, come out and say it.

        There was well publiciized reports of Key’s pony tail pulling, which evidence to support this behaviour.

        I seem to remember WO had sum such rumour about Cunliffe, but I wouldn’t visit WO’s site.

        • james 10.1.2.1
          2 May 2018 at 5:08 pm

          “James, I didn’t hear the rumours of Key having affairs…………..I never saw anything like that on this site………”

          there was a mention (not that I have searched for others) – in all fairness LPrent came down on them right away with a ban.

          “Who do you think started those rumours about Key? Labour? If that’s what you believe and you have proof, come out and say it.”

          I have no idea and have never offered a suggestion on that neither then or now.

          • Ankerrawshark 10.1.2.1.1
            2 May 2018 at 7:19 pm

            Ok thanks for linking it. Good on I Prent for his swift response. This blog unlike WO and possibly Kiwiblog (not sure as I have never gone there) jumps on bullshit like that.

            I think that one comment about key differs from the gayford smear. The latter designed to put pressure on the PMs partner with the intention of destabilising their partnership and smearing Ardern by association to bring her down politically. key had already resigned.

      • Molly 10.1.3
        2 May 2018 at 12:42 pm

        “Remember the accusations that key was having affairs with x,y and z.”
        1. Actually, no.
        2. Not interested in the personal adult relationships of politicians anyway, so don’t see what the parallel is here.

        • D'Esterre 10.1.3.1
          2 May 2018 at 2:38 pm

          Molly: “1. Actually, no.”

          Neither do I.

          “2. Not interested in the personal adult relationships of politicians anyway, so don’t see what the parallel is here.”

          Ditto.

      • joe90 10.1.4
        2 May 2018 at 12:48 pm

        Remember the accusations that key was having affairs with x,y and z

        Well, Ponyboy and Herman were besties.

        /

      • lprent 10.1.5
        2 May 2018 at 1:21 pm

        Remember the accusations that key was having affairs with x,y and z.

        Ah no. And I keep a very good look on what happens around here and tend to squelch most of the faux fact crap. Including I might add some of the crap from the likes of dimwits who seem to think it to be funny to pretend to be a concerned leftie spreading dirt about those on the right as part of his ‘justice’ campaigning.

        Apart from anything else it is legally dangerous for us to have that kind of trash on the site.

        Perhaps you should find some actual instances of these examples to indicate that you aren’t just inventing false facts yourself. Before I start to get irritated about the lack of a link.

      • Enough is Enough 10.1.6
        2 May 2018 at 3:51 pm

        John Key never had an affair.

        And other that right wing wankers trying to smear us, no one has ever suggested he had an affair.

        The whole thing was fake news and dirty politics and we can guess where it stemmed from

        • james 10.1.6.1
          2 May 2018 at 5:15 pm

          “no one has ever suggested he had an affair.”

          https://thestandard.org.nz/keys-gone/#comment-1270114

          if you search Twitter – you will find other comments about it – so your comment that no one has ever suggested he had an affair is – well, wrong.

          • Tricledrown 10.1.6.1.1
            2 May 2018 at 7:12 pm

            James you have read the post and the moderate warned said person not to spread unsubstantiated rumours.
            Unlike whale oil.

          • Enough is Enough 10.1.6.1.2
            4 May 2018 at 3:41 pm

            You missed the first part of what I said “other than right wing wankers”

            I think you can draw your own conclusions as to which side of the deep political divide that wanker came from

  11. ianmac 11
    2 May 2018 at 11:41 am

    David Fisher has again stood above the crowd as a top journalist. Thanks David.

    Has the National Party had a history of being involved in Dirty Politics? If so has anything changed since Key retreated into obscurity?

  12. Marcus Morris 12
    2 May 2018 at 11:53 am

    Have just read Audrey Young’s take on events in the Herald and I insert a quote below.
    Her last line beggars belief.

    “Ardern will have the sympathy of every party in Parliament and all but the most stone-hearted MP.

    That makes her calculated reference to “dirty politics” in her statement unfair on National.

    As she well knows, ‘dirty politics’ is no longer a generic phrase, but was the title of the Nicky Hager book about some low-life operatives associated with the former government.

    Ardern has no reason to cast a slur on the National Party by innuendo.

    That is to stoop to the standards of the peddlers of rumour.”

    • logie97 12.1
      2 May 2018 at 12:19 pm

      It would be a time consuming exercise, but it would be interesting to review Young’s columns over the years to see how many times she referred to mud-slinging / dirty politics / gutter politics before the publication of the Hager book. As you say, the history of politics world wide is riddled with the expression “dirty politics” and that is why, one assumes, Hager so named his book.

    • ankerawshark 12.2
      2 May 2018 at 12:27 pm

      IMO disgraceful coverage by Audrey. Trying to paint Jacinda as the baddie here.

      Whether or not National are involved in the smear, its still dirty politics.

    • Ed 12.3
      2 May 2018 at 8:59 pm

      Her brother is a National MP.

  13. JanM 13
    2 May 2018 at 11:58 am

    Just who are these people, if they are not National Party members – if we don’t know who they are, do we have some sort of profile that fits the type? They really need to be winkled out at legally dealt to.

    • Observer Tokoroa 13.1
      2 May 2018 at 12:17 pm

      Yes JanM

      When a malicious civil crime is committed the first and last question to be asked is :
      “Who gains from this ?”

      Eventually, the Nationals will be found out and dealt with. For they are the only ones to benefit from castrating the Partner of the PM. Nationals under John Key had a whole team of happy scum trolls – working for him.

      I think some of John Key’s scum are yet to be tried and punished.

      • Liberal Realist 13.1.1
        2 May 2018 at 9:42 pm

        Cui bono? Who else but National?

        I find it almost amusing that one of National’s mouth pieces in Audrey Young steps up with such a weak and transparent attempted ‘rear guard’ action against this tragic unfairness. Why was Audrey so compelled to highlight this injustice toward National?

        How dare the PM refer to the slander of her partner as Dirty Politics!

        Rawshark provided absolute proof that National had a black ops fabrication outfit running out of Key’s office.

        Dirty politics it was then, and dirty politics it is now.

        The problem with scum is, it almost always tends to float. When it’s ‘forced under’, or ‘retreats below the surface’ it later rises to yet float again. Just like dirty politics.

        • Muttonbird 13.1.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 9:47 pm

          At least Young and presumably the rest of the RW media have finally accepted Dirty Politics as a National party creation.

    • James 13.2
      2 May 2018 at 12:22 pm

      Twitter handles (and twitter is where most of this was covered) are not that anonymous at all.

      And I agree they should be legally delt to.

      • ianmac 13.2.1
        2 May 2018 at 12:54 pm

        What a hypocrite you are James. Truly!

      • OnceWasTim 13.2.2
        2 May 2018 at 1:28 pm

        Indeed they are not @ James, and not just twitter.
        Usually what brings arseholes like you down is arrogance, and a holier-than-thou attitude. But then what a very clever boi you are

      • Ankerrawshark 13.2.3
        2 May 2018 at 9:47 pm

        What about Jason Eade and Simon Lusk. Shouldn’t they be dealt too James? And once again let me ask have you read Dirty Politics?

    • dukeofurl 13.3
      2 May 2018 at 1:21 pm

      “The Herald story notes that an unnamed person on social media “did not respond to a request for comment” Are you a person on social media?”

      They have ways of tracking online presences back to their source when they are sloppy

      Looks like the Herald knows one name but isnt saying , but quite happy to drag Jacinada and Clarke through the mud.

    • lprent 13.4
      2 May 2018 at 1:22 pm

      … do we have some sort of profile that fits the type? They really need to be winkled out at legally dealt to.

      A lot of them would best be described as low-lifes. Or dumpster divers. Or ‘justice’ campaigners. Or simply as arseholes.

      Some of them are being dealt with for past offenses in the legal system, albeit extremely slowly. Generally they tend to disappear under name suppression orders until after their case has been wangled through the appeals progress. But I will give you a general hint – if they complain loudly about legal processes then they are the most likely ones to abuse it. Look at the history of Cameron Slater for an example (and he really isn’t the worst).

  14. Ad 14
    2 May 2018 at 12:06 pm

    The weirdness is that this is the Police who didn’t raise so much as a fucking finger when all the manufactured rumours swirled around Helen Clark, and her husband, and others, in her second and third terms as Prime Minister.

    Where was their mighty patrician defence of honour then?

    Maybe the Police are going all #MeToo about the Prime Minister, but the Police have stood by not uttering peep while major reputational damage occurred to our previous Prime Minister.

    • James 14.1
      2 May 2018 at 12:10 pm

      “The weirdness is that this is the Police who didn’t raise so much as a fucking finger when all the manufactured rumours swirled around Helen Clark, and her husband, and others, in her second and third terms as Prime Minister.“

      Or key with the rumours about affairs.

      • logie97 14.1.1
        2 May 2018 at 12:28 pm

        Rumours about John Key and Helen Clark did not require police involvement. Apparently the current crass rumours were based on the lie of police investigation. Surely that is the distinction.

      • D'Esterre 14.1.2
        2 May 2018 at 2:51 pm

        James: “Or key with the rumours about affairs.”

        You assert this. A number of us have said that we do not recall any such rumours. How about backing up your assertion with evidence? A link, eg.

        • james 14.1.2.1
          2 May 2018 at 5:18 pm

          link provided above – if you so wish to look at it. again – Lprent jumped on it right away and it resulted in a ban – the point is that there were rumours out there.

          • D'Esterre 14.1.2.1.1
            2 May 2018 at 6:57 pm

            James: “link provided above….”

            I recall seeing that thread at the time. But it was one person flapping their gob: that’s the one and only time I saw any reference to such a thing.

            Not evidence of rumours: you’ll need to do better.

    • Gabby 14.2
      2 May 2018 at 1:27 pm

      There is a possible answer but you might not like it addy.

  15. Pataua4life 15
    2 May 2018 at 12:28 pm

    Sounds like a false flag operation.

  16. Puckish Rogue 16
    2 May 2018 at 12:31 pm

    If possible find out who started it and then charge them to the fullest extent of the law and make sure the media pile in to make a further example of it as well

  17. Darien Fenton 17
    2 May 2018 at 1:17 pm

    I’ve been around a while as you know, and never, ever have I seen anything as vindictive and nasty about a PM’s partner. It can only be sheeted home to the Natz Nasty Party. Who else would have the motivation to spend their lates and after dinner drinks on such shite.

    • Stunned mullet 17.1
      2 May 2018 at 2:47 pm

      Most tolls in nz couldn’t give a toss about politics – they just love trolling. I’m going to suggest that in this case there’s no links to a political party before someone presents some evidence.

      • Muttonbird 17.1.1
        2 May 2018 at 9:40 pm

        You sound very naive. Or is it a case of spreading the blame when the Nats do something objectionable. When this happens RW toss pots love to say ‘everybody does it’, or in this case ‘no links to a political party’. If you believe that then you are quite stupid.

    • Bewildered 17.2
      2 May 2018 at 5:48 pm

      It is a common observation that overuse of the cui bono? (“who benefits?”) style of thinking leads to conspiracy theories. They appeal strongly to people who desire to feel special, according to research by Roland Imhoff, a German social psychologist. Joseph Uscinski, an American political scientist, finds that they are popular among groups that lose political contests, and may disappear when they win.

    • Grantoc 17.3
      2 May 2018 at 8:28 pm

      Prove it then Darien.

      You’ve been around a while – you say; you’re street smart and know how these things work therefore. So put up or shut up.

    • Ed 17.4
      2 May 2018 at 9:04 pm

      I wonder how many of our resident right wing trolls have been complicit in spreading such rumours…….

  18. Ross 18
    2 May 2018 at 1:25 pm

    The 5 stages of grief:

    Denial
    Anger
    Bargaining
    Depression
    Acceptance

    Some Tories, aghast at their election loss, seem to be stuck at anger. Its going to be a long and arduous 3 years for them, maybe longer.

    • Stuart Munro 18.1
      2 May 2018 at 2:21 pm

      That path is more for normal people – the Gnat path goes more like:

      Denial
      Anger
      Scheming
      Black Op
      DP
      Hager investigation
      Running for cover
      More denial
      Court case
      Cabinet or shadow cabinet reshuffle

    • Liberal Realist 18.2
      2 May 2018 at 9:48 pm

      I’d say there’s a fair percentage out there still stuck at denial!

  19. dukeofurl 19
    2 May 2018 at 1:26 pm

    The story which got this circus going last week from Deborah Hill Cone, who is a friend of Dirty Nasty politics’s Cactus Cate.
    I wouldnt be surprised if she is playing in this sandpit

  20. Gabby 20
    2 May 2018 at 1:29 pm

    I fully expect a chorus of mea culpas from those fine upstanding kiwibuggers any … minute … now …

  21. Mark 21
    2 May 2018 at 2:22 pm

    Disappointing to hear that the rumours are false, because I don’t like either him or Cindy, they are a couple of reality- TV show-ponies who have no business running this country, especially in conjunction with Winnie the Pooh.

    [lprent: I believe the only ‘Cindy’ and ‘Winnie’ run the country as PM and deputy. The other one presents a fishing show.

    It is always nice to converse with an ignorant fool. It always helps to make everyone else feel that they are brighter than they really are when they read your comments. On behalf of the community, I have to commend for your efforts in making that clearer. ]

    • Pete 21.1
      2 May 2018 at 2:33 pm

      No doubt Mark they will continue trying to do their best for you and the whole country.

      • Tricledrown 21.1.1
        3 May 2018 at 1:09 am

        Mark looks like the deliberate divisive type who can’t handle democracy.
        Putin’s puppets create a nasty divisive society.

    • mac1 21.2
      2 May 2018 at 3:05 pm

      Hmm, I’d say ‘denia’l in reference to #18 above.

      No business running this country?

      The previous government couldn’t even fix a school building the smell of mould in which was so strong that the Minister of Education reported to Parliament today that he could only stay in it for a moment.

      A school with leaking roofs. Its fellow College has a leaking gymnasium, library and bursting pipes within its 80 year old walls damaged by earthquakes.

      A situation that has been known about for years and after five years, still nothing had been done by that previous government in its business of running the country to replace or rebuild.

      The primary school building built in the early 80’s in which my children were taught has been pulled down because of black mould. That school that was built by a former National government. A school that was claimed by the MP of the time as a triumph of that government responding to local wishes.

      A building that has been replaced under that previous National government by the same classroom that I taught in at the local secondary school which had in its turn been recycled from WW2 army camp buildings.

      Did I mention the state of our hospitals?

      Did I mention the appalling state of social services as they were in regional New Zealand, under that government?

      Will Mark continue to deny all that?

    • ankerawshark 21.3
      2 May 2018 at 3:16 pm

      is that you Jason Eade?

    • Ed 21.4
      2 May 2018 at 9:05 pm

      Were you part of the rumour mill?

    • McFlock 22.1
      2 May 2018 at 3:28 pm

      So basically the initial twit twotted it to a bunch of self-labelled right wingers and media, relying on the other twits especially to repeat and expand on the lie?

      Same bullshit, different platform.

  23. Pete 23
    2 May 2018 at 3:24 pm

    In further reference to the nasty PM nastily using the words ‘dirty’ and ‘politics’ together as if she’d invented them in a most egregious attack on the National Party:

    Dirty Politics, Dirty Times, By Michael Ashcroft, First published in Great Britain 2005, Dirty Politics by Pat Regan, Hardcover 2009

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-02-27/sa-govt-accused-of-dirty-politics-over-ad/807568

    http://freakonomics.com/2007/11/06/the-complete-history-of-dirty-politics-a-qa-on-anything-for-a-vote/

    Those involved in trying to destroy the PM’s partner (and her) were using dirty politics. Impure and simple.

    • Obtrectator 23.1
      2 May 2018 at 6:56 pm

      Not quite the exact phrase, but I clearly recall David Lange saying, just before the 1984 election: “that kind of dirty-pool politics is just incredible”.
      (I don’t recall what it was in reference to, sorry.)

  24. Tamati Tautuhi 24
    2 May 2018 at 4:02 pm

    Must admit I heard these rumour’s a couple of weeks ago, via a friend who was talking with his National Party buddies at the Pub. Then the next day there was a comment made on a Blog site, not sure which one, so obviously the wheels were in motion ?

    Amazing how gossip travels if it’s a good story and how quickly it spreads ?

    Heard a few other rumour’s which were just ridiculous and laughable ?

  25. Anne 25
    2 May 2018 at 4:12 pm

    Does anyone know where Simon Lusk is these days?

    Btw, I obviously frequent the wrong places because I’ve not heard the rumours. Could someone direct me to where I might find them?

    No, not WO if possible.

    • McFlock 25.1
      2 May 2018 at 4:22 pm

      And does he have a twitter account lol

    • Enough is Enough 25.2
      2 May 2018 at 4:26 pm

      I agree

      I have no idea what these rumours are. Other than the lunatic right fringe I doubt anyone would have been aware of whatever the gossip is.

      The Police maybe should have just ignored this rather than raised the issue and given it oxygen

      • Anne 25.2.1
        2 May 2018 at 4:33 pm

        Not by the sounds of it E is E. These stories have a tendency to become seen as factual if told often enough. Look how Trump and co. successfully destroyed Hillary Clinton with lies and innuendo. And don’t forget what was done to Helen Clark between 2005 and 2008 and Cunliffe between 2012 and 2014.

        There’s a common thread here and my reckons are that Simon Lusk might know a thing or two…

    • Rosemary McDonald 25.3
      2 May 2018 at 4:34 pm

      “Btw, I obviously frequent the wrong places because I’ve not heard the rumours. ”

      Me too.

      And, FWIW, I’m becoming increasingly alarmed at the level of attention some folk around here seem to think these rumours deserve.

      The old adage about rumours…..ignore them.

    • Ed 25.4
      2 May 2018 at 7:51 pm

      Odgers.
      Still in Hong Kong?

      Lusk.
      Where is he?

  26. Tamati Tautuhi 26
    2 May 2018 at 4:50 pm

    Barry Soper & MSM were obviously up with the play, now he is saying the Police should not be involved, well if it concerns the PM’s family I think the Police should be involved IMHO.

  27. John G 27
    2 May 2018 at 4:58 pm

    I think we should view DHC’s comments about Clarke as a not so subtle way of helping the rumours gain traction.

    • Anne 27.1
      2 May 2018 at 6:25 pm

      My thoughts exactly. Then she tried to fool everyone with a mea culpa.

      Stupid woman. Sorry, but that’s the way I see it.

      • OnceWasTim 27.1.1
        2 May 2018 at 7:51 pm

        NO no no no no @ Anne. She had a previous mea culpa when she realised she’d ‘grown up and become a real woman’ (/sarc) – I think after a pregnancy and possibly a birth – which of course changes your whole world view, but can also be used as an excuse for past c***ty behaviour darling. That mea culpa was in relation to a thing called Odgers (I’m not sure whether or not she is yet a ‘real woman’ although someone like Jordie or Cam or even Jude could probably tell us – in the absence of Jase of course)

        • OnceWasTim 27.1.1.1
          2 May 2018 at 8:09 pm

          Ekshully @ Anne, you know that there is this really viscous rumour that Hillary Barry is actually a bit of a control freak (going forward).. It’s based on the ‘fact’ that she once admitted to sticking to the right lane whilst keeping to the speed limit, whilst others behind her were becoming really frustrated by her driving habits. But you know, that was an admission on the “AM Show” such as it is.
          As I’ve I’ve been tipped (exclusively), some Herald journalists are busy investigating, but so far @Stuff are busy ‘going like, like’ “yea/nah” …. moving on

  28. Tamati Tautuhi 28
    2 May 2018 at 5:31 pm

    Barry Soper, DHC and HDPA were definitely adding fuel/accelerants to the fire, after all they are Natzi sympathisers ?

    Soper was aware of these rumours for a while.

    • Anne 28.1
      2 May 2018 at 6:28 pm

      It is interesting isn’t it. Who has been in the know for quite a long time. A good indication of the type of company they like to keep.

    • patricia bremner 28.2
      2 May 2018 at 9:21 pm

      Soper’s face in the video, when Jacinda was asked for her opinion, was gleeful. He is a an awful gossip, whose wife writes pitiful drivel. I don’t read their diatribes anymore.

  29. R.P Mcmurphy 29
    2 May 2018 at 6:44 pm

    I noticed this guy slipping in one liners about this nearly three months ago. It wasn’t fulll on but just sly. I pulled them up about it and then they offered me violence. I think wailboil must have told them to stop that but as far as I am concerned this whole thing has been one of mathew hooens exceltium jobs for the nationals and has been aided and abetted by wailboil and the other guy. Have a new neigbour who is 6′ 2″ and an ex pro wrestler so I hope murphy shows up.

  30. Bluey 30
    2 May 2018 at 9:26 pm

    Picture, many words
    Police investigation
    A glass barbeque

  31. AsleepWhileWalking 31
    2 May 2018 at 9:30 pm

    Glad the cops stepped up. Good response from the PM.

  32. Antoine 32
    2 May 2018 at 9:46 pm

    Unfortunately, society is still uncomfortable with men whose primary role is as the ‘consort’ of a woman in a very senior position…

    A.

    • Muttonbird 32.1
      2 May 2018 at 9:53 pm

      Interesting. Most of society is comfortable with it. Just not endangered, stale, conservative types who rail against women being earners and men being carers.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 32.2
      2 May 2018 at 11:11 pm

      HiyA, don’t recall ‘society’ (in earlier times) being discomforted by Burton Shipley.

      Maybe it takes a certain kind of man, or (as per Muttonbird) a certain kind of thinking?

  34. Muttonbird 34
    2 May 2018 at 9:58 pm

    Farrar has a closed to comments post warning his trolls not to bring it up ever. Bit late for that I would have thought.

    • joe90 34.1
      2 May 2018 at 10:04 pm

      Any justice in the world and lawyers have been screen shotting this shit for months.

      • AsleepWhileWalking 34.1.1
        2 May 2018 at 10:44 pm

        I hope the GCSB gets involved to set an example.

        They will already know where and who everything leads back to.

    • patricia bremner 34.2
      3 May 2018 at 8:59 pm

      Has realised he could be sued perhaps????

  35. mosa 35
    2 May 2018 at 10:49 pm

    I can’t believe Newshub covering Keys comments on his sympathy for Adern when he was one of the main instigators of dirty politics ( character assassination and destruction ) of many left wing figures a few short years ago and repeatedly lied about it.
    I suppose when they ” knight you ” you become holier than thou and can pretend that you never ever really had blood on your hands and it was all a ” left wing conspiracy.”
    I always thought he lived in a alternative fantasy world.

  36. mosa 36
    2 May 2018 at 11:18 pm

    This is the tip of the iceberg and the MSM have been relentless in their attack since late last year.
    The line ” breaking their promises ” and as Corrin Dann has been peddling this governments ” ideology ” is creeping into the propaganda.
    Winston of course is a continuing target and the RNZ debacle was used with full effect.
    It will only get more hostile as the government’s well funded enemies work to destroy it bit by bit.
    Ask Miss Tueri how it feels to be “enemy number one ” while those who subvert the system for their own gain and have huge fortunes never face scrutiny or publicity for their own actions.

  37. Ken 37
    3 May 2018 at 2:05 am

    Fantastic own goal from National.

  38. R.P Mcmurphy 38
    6 May 2018 at 1:10 pm

    barry duplicity-alien soaper was foaming at the mouth at the police being dragged into the brouhaha but the rumours were saying that the police had evidence.
    HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
    Anyway I kept seeing the “RUMOUR” popping up all over facebook under the auspices of one person who also spruiks for a famous name car manufacturer and a travel group.
    If the media were any good they could track this person.
    I think it is wailboil himself trying for legitimacy and laundering his payoffs while the rest of the tory wailers look the other way.

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