What did Key know about Sabin’s issues?

116 comments on “What did Key know about Sabin’s issues? ”

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1. Stephanie Rodgers 1

   2 February 2015 at 11:21 am

   “before the 2011 election”

   Someone please tell me that’s a typo by the NBR. Because that could be massive.
   • Tom Jackson 1.1

     2 February 2015 at 11:25 am

     Don’t worry. John Key will say it doesn’t matter, the media will repeat his statements, and, like magic, it will go away.
     • Stephanie Rodgers 1.1.1

       2 February 2015 at 11:33 am

       I don’t know, a lot of journos seem to be taking a real interest in this one – there’s a good example from Laura McQuillan above.
       • Tom Jackson 1.1.1.1

         2 February 2015 at 11:58 am

         They’ve got enough people to sail past this one. Facts don’t matter.
       • Tom Jackson 1.1.1.2

         2 February 2015 at 12:10 pm

         OTOH, someone on Twitter just spilled on what Sabin might have done.

         Good lord.
         • weka 1.1.1.2.1

           2 February 2015 at 12:28 pm

           That would be what Key calls Sabin’s “personal issues”
       • seeker 1.1.1.3

         2 February 2015 at 2:42 pm

         Not sure Stephanie. This clip shows Key lying right in front of said journalists and even though one caught him out, they never shouted it from the roof tops…

         PM john key grilled over fletcher appointment
         http://www.nzherald.co.nz/national/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=131968
     • Macro 1.1.2

       2 February 2015 at 12:48 pm

       Key relies on the fact that The Ministry of Truth, will simply ignore this matter. Furthermore, the same “sages” will claim that those who choose to question his integrity on this matter are “looney lefties” or similar, and thus of no consequence.
   • meconism 1.2

     2 February 2015 at 11:42 am

     No it’s not a typo, Hooton has just repeated the ‘prior to 2011’ claim with Katherine Ryan on Nine to Noon. Something about ‘A group of senior National party officials spoke with Sabin prior to the 2011 election, and Mike Williams confirmed that Labour party activists from the electorate have confirmed the same story to him.
     • Stephanie Rodgers 1.2.1

       2 February 2015 at 11:52 am

       Christ.
       • Anne 1.2.1.1

         2 February 2015 at 11:56 am

         Almighty.
     • rawshark-yeshe 1.2.2

       2 February 2015 at 4:49 pm

       baby cheeses !!

       ( stolen from Tracey but perfect for the occasion!)
     • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 1.2.3

       2 February 2015 at 7:51 pm

       Let’s see .. Key outsourced any retrieval or exchange of information to others. So he can make a range of statements that are only partially right, but *at the end of the day*, he was kept in the loop, second hand or third hand.
     • freedom 1.2.4

       3 February 2015 at 8:41 pm

       weka says “Hooton says that NBR said the prior to 2011 thing.”
       http://thestandard.org.nz/the-sabin-issue-timeline/#comment-962680

       audio
       http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/20165742/political-commentators-mike-williams-and-matthew-hooton
       weka – “Starts at 7 mins, Williams around 10mins.”
   • Chris 1.3

     3 February 2015 at 12:55 am

     It should be massive but it won’t be. Why is this lie from key more significant than any other lie from key?
     • One Anonymous Bloke 1.3.1

       3 February 2015 at 6:43 am

       Good question.

       If it did turn out to be more significant, I think that would have to do with the nature of the alleged offence(s).

       At the very least, Key can be pressed to explain why the National Party regarded Sabin as an asset in the first place.
       • tracey 1.3.1.1

         3 February 2015 at 12:38 pm

         and as an assept until he resigned.
       • Chris 1.3.1.2

         4 February 2015 at 1:03 pm

         Sure, it’s likely the offences are likely to be serious, but what I meant was how is this lie going to hurt Key when he’s gotten away with every other lie since in politics? And there’s been a staggeringly high number of them.
     • freedom 1.3.2

       3 February 2015 at 8:45 pm

       “Why is this lie from key more significant than any other lie from key?”

       Nature of the offences, pure and simple.
       All he can do is claim he was never told details and never asked about details.

       What people do with that, is where it all gets very murky.
2. Jones 2

   2 February 2015 at 11:26 am

   The positions are reconcilable. Quite simply, and based on past behaviour, I believe John Key is lying and the NBR source (Slater?) is correct.
   • Tracey 2.1

     2 February 2015 at 4:28 pm

     i was wondering who their source might have been…
     • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 2.1.1

       2 February 2015 at 8:06 pm

       One of the very familiar and oft-used lines that those of us in the Thorndon Bubble used a lot (it was a habit, or like our own breathing that we never noticed) was to say “you didn’t hear this from me” or “you didn’t get this from me” … and then nek minit, the beans are out and spilling.

       Well practised in government circles .. or Koru clubs:
       
3. shorts 3

   2 February 2015 at 11:30 am

   yet another potentially embarrassing issue that will now get bogged down in the “when did key know” quagmire

   There is only one fact we can possibly all agree on – we can’t trust key’s recollection of anything

   let the obfuscation continue
   • Anne 3.1

     2 February 2015 at 11:40 am

     Yep. A repeat of the Dirty Politics fallout when Key spent weeks lying, obfuscating, confusing the known facts and got clean away with it. My pick is: it was decided to repeat the same strategy because “it worked last time so it should work again”. The difference might be – if Jones is correct – he hasn’t got Slater onside this time.

     According to Mike Williams on RNZ, Labour became aware of the case as early as last April too, so it beggars belief Key didn’t know about it.
     • shorts 3.1.1

       2 February 2015 at 11:42 am

       yep….

       I do hope Labour has learnt their lesson of the last 2 terms in opposition… don’t get involved in trying to get the truth out of key, its PR suicide as previous leaders current placing show – leave it to the media Labour… and focus on your agenda
       • Anne 3.1.1.1

         2 February 2015 at 11:51 am

         Ummm… a thought has crossed my mind. Is this the reason why Key – against all known sensibility – continued to have a cosy ‘texting’ relationship with Slater despite his (Slater’s) rapid fall from grace?
         • shorts 3.1.1.1.1

           2 February 2015 at 11:58 am

           slater is useful…. he’s still useful and key and co will use him and others as they see fit, thats what key does… course he doesn’t control nor own slater, unlike jason eade and others so key will keep slater at arms (or text) distance
         • Clemgeopin 3.1.1.1.2

           2 February 2015 at 4:46 pm

           “ Is this the reason why Key – against all known sensibility – continued to have a cosy ‘texting’ relationship with Slater despite his (Slater’s) rapid fall from grace?”

           Good point! Remember after the election Key even apologised profusely to Slater!
     • Macro 3.1.2

       2 February 2015 at 12:56 pm

       Yes – it has been know around parliamentary circles for some time, so I hear – so how Key didn’t know about it ??? Of course his Office might have known about it – but that doesn’t mean he did! /sarc
4. One Anonymous Bloke 4

   2 February 2015 at 11:33 am

   Key thinks he has plausible deniability on this.

   For the NBR to be so confident his story might unravel very quickly.

   I used to have twenty five shares,
   Now I only got fifty,
   Gave those hundred shares to a blind man,
   Who I trust implicitly,

   You know I’m not a crook,
   You know I’m not a crook,
   I just wanna lie about one more thing right now…

   Apologies to FZ.
   
5. phillip ure 5

   2 February 2015 at 11:41 am

   the trick now is to get key to lie to parliament..

   ..or has already done that..on this issue..?
   • ghostwhowalksnz 5.1

     2 February 2015 at 2:31 pm

     Pleeeese.

     That has happened so many times before . For what ?

     Hes the new Richard Crookshanks !
   • Treetop 5.2

     3 February 2015 at 11:37 am

     An inquiry and see if Key will perjure himself.
6. North 6

   2 February 2015 at 11:45 am

   Yet again, serious questions about ‘when’ TheGodKey knew about such and such and ‘what’ he knew about such and such. Yet again. There is no moral compass FFS !
7. BLiP 7

   2 February 2015 at 11:48 am

   ‘

   Note that John Key is being asked when he knew about Sabin’s “personal issues” and not when he knew Sabin was being “investigated by the police”. Tricksy semantics are tricksy.

   inb4myofficewasinformed
8. heather 8

   2 February 2015 at 11:52 am

   Key will play with words, he will pretend with his vacant, not interested look, the look we all know so well. Then he will get angry and again pretend that he knows nothing.
   Of course he knows, he has always known, he is acting always as he does. What is different?
   • phillip ure 8.1

     2 February 2015 at 12:32 pm

     + 1..
   • BassGuy 8.2

     2 February 2015 at 12:45 pm

     I’d put fifty bucks up to start a pot for someone to replace the envelope for an Emmy “best actor” award with one containing John Key’s name.
     • NZJester 8.2.1

       2 February 2015 at 3:19 pm

       Just an Emmy? With John Keys acting he deserves an Oscar.
       He can fat out lie and when caught in a lie can redefine the meaning of words at will to get himself out of it.
       I am actually surprised that John Key is not into Poker as can deadpan his face and bluff the media so well.
       • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 8.2.1.1

         2 February 2015 at 8:08 pm

         It’s how he made his millions.
   • Hanswurst 8.3

     3 February 2015 at 2:37 am

     Key doesn’t need to play with words. He just says stuff. He wasn’t playing with words when he lied about his Tranzrail shares; he simply lied, then corrected himself. He wasn’t playing with words when he talked about Ian Fletcher, or when he did interviews about dirty politics. “Playing with words” suggests that he does something clever, when in fact he simply says what he wants, relying on others to come up with favourable spin. Unfortunately, it works.
9. irascible 9

   2 February 2015 at 12:02 pm

   My contacts in Northland who are not usually involved in Party politics raised the same questions when the MSM wrote up the story. Their comment was along the lines of “we’d heard rumours.. we’d wondered about…”
   Obviously Key had heard rumours, had had approaches asking questions or for intervention but chose to sit on his hands in the hope that the mounds swept under the carpet wouldn’t be noticed.
   • phillip ure 9.1

     2 February 2015 at 12:33 pm

     ..’Obviously’..nothing of the sort..
10. Skinny 10

    2 February 2015 at 12:03 pm

    Key knew all about Sabin’s ‘continuing’ troubles. On Friday, September 12 last year 8 days from the election, as part of their campaign Mike hosted a economic forum with Key, Joyce, Finlayson as guest speakers. Lots of business people invited along by Sabin including myself.

    Sat there listening to the waffle thinking Key & Joyce are not very friendly to Sabin, how strange their treating him like he is a leper, considering the effort he has put in organising this large gathering. Anyway it was noticeably strange and stuck out. Seeing first hand the way they were acting I call bullshit Key is lying.
    • Once was Tim 10.1

      2 February 2015 at 11:36 pm

      “…….I call bullshit Key is lying.”
      Same ici.
      I’m picking Key plans to be off the hook/out of the country/ safely tucked up all before his chooks come home to roost. Hopefully that poor bloody attachment he calls a wife will have woken up by then, along with the kuds.
      As any money trader/gambler knows – timing and luck is all important. So far, the reign’s been great. Just one roll of the dice short of a political hanging or an exit strategy gone wrong (or stretchy as wonderboy would say)

      I won’t hold my breath although my sympathies towards Bro, Mex and …. remain.
      Still …. they’d have a pretty big claim so they won’t have to starve
11. esoteric pineapples 11

    2 February 2015 at 12:13 pm

    No one’s saying anything about the nature of this “assault” – that would be interesting to know ……..
    • Tom Jackson 11.1

      2 February 2015 at 12:19 pm

      It’s not very hard to work out what it is.
    • rawshark-yeshe 11.2

      2 February 2015 at 4:56 pm

      you might want to visit[Sorry RY but best if this site does not link to that site – MS]

      And I believe this will bring Key undone .. because of the exact nature of what he has hidden from the electorate. It is not only unforgivable in almost anyone’s eyes, it is a complete moral failure by Key, and there for all to see.

      And if it is truly since 2011 ? Holy hell.

      I have faith in the decency of the Northland constituents … please, get rid of the stains of this government. Do the wisest and most cleansing thing, and Key’s government will be strung up for the rest of this term.

      Please, don’t let these sods get away with this.
      • Ian 11.2.1

        2 February 2015 at 9:03 pm

        So you have faith in The Harawiras ??Good luck Bro. Soak your jocks in Janola,kills everything.
        • rawshark-yeshe 11.2.1.1

          2 February 2015 at 11:52 pm

          Ian .. what are you on about ? I am talking about many decent blue voters both female and male who will be completely disgusted by what Key chose to keep hidden from them prior to at least one election, if not two. I’m not sure there has ever been worse in NZ politics, and that’s saying something isn’t it !

          Assumptions much ? I’m not a bro, And I don’t wear jocks. Soak your own in Janola, and maybe re-read what I wrote.

          Sweet dreams.
      • rawshark-yeshe 11.2.2

        3 February 2015 at 10:17 am

        apologies to anyone who tried the ,link .. it shd be [Sorry RY but best if this site does not link to that site – MS]
12. repateet 12

    2 February 2015 at 12:36 pm

    The main thing we know from all of this is what we already know. And all of that is about the Prime Minister.

    Our dogs are lovely when they’ve been in the slimy creek so I won’t insult them by referring to him as a slimy dog.
13. veutoviper 13

    2 February 2015 at 12:44 pm

    “You would think that the Taxpayer’s Union would be upset by this.”

    Jordan Williams of the TU has replied this morning to Mr Dutton Peabody’s tweet included in the post to the effect that he would love to engage on the subject but for reasons that hopefully will become clear later, he can’t.

    https://twitter.com/JordNZ/status/561971824917880832

    In a separate tweet a short time ago, Williams is also trying to source a copy of the suppression orders relating to the Prominent NZer case heard in a District Court somewhere in NZ last Friday. Various MSM journalists etc and others such as Graeme Edgeler were tweeting madly on Friday re the suppression orders but none of them appeared to have seen/found a copy at that time, but I have no doubt the orders will emerge in due course.

    Warning – suggest we leave these people to do their thing re the suppression orders, and watch from the sidelines due to the apparent all encompassing nature of these suppression orders, and the consequences of breaching these.

    But keep the popcorn handy …..

    Incidentally, despite what may be appearing in actual reports in the media, from their tweets this morning,various journalists etc appear to be as skeptical as people here about Key’s statements re Sabin this morning.
    • Ffloyd 13.1

      3 February 2015 at 8:44 pm

      There is a report under *Whangarei Court News * saying that a *prominent nzer*had appeared at Court on Friday 30th January. He is held at large for three weeks while some disputed evidence is investigated. Who could this be?
14. Justme 14

    2 February 2015 at 12:56 pm

    Key has done either one of two things.

    1. He knew all about it, but had to play along because of what was happening in the background, so that everything could be done in a proper manner. A bit like a corporate takeover, or play on the markets.

    2. He knew all along, but was too stupid to do anything about it.

    One hopes the former, but wonders about the latter. Nobody could be that stupid could they?
    • Murray Rawshark 14.1

      2 February 2015 at 1:07 pm

      Hubris can explain a hell of a lot.
    • Skinny 14.2

      2 February 2015 at 2:46 pm

      The National Party will have a Northland Electorate committee, any improper conduct whether alleged or proven would be discussed by that committee. The party’s head office informed. The president Peter Goodfellow would raise the issue with the party’s campaign manager Stephen Joyce and the leader John Key. You can’t fool me that this didn’t occur.

      Wearing his Prime Minister, and leader of National Party hat John Key had an obligation to his party and the public, given the seriousness of the allegations, and the likelihood of a by-election costing to the tune of 1 million dollars, to seek Mike Sabin withdraw his candidacy to contest the Northland seat for the National Party. Then open up nominations for a new candidate. If the timeframe didn’t allow for a candidate selection process, the Northland seat should have been uncontested by National.

      It’s very disappointing the MSM are not hauling Key-National over the coals seeking answers like the constitutional ones above. I’m afraid until such time as the MSM do their job nothing will change.
      • joe90 14.2.1

        2 February 2015 at 3:12 pm

        Most likely locals have known about this for several months.

        The Northern Advocate understands the party’s Northland branch officials have been canvassing for a potential candidate for several weeks.

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11395331&ref=rss

        Although….

        A night out with John Key & Robert Allenby. You wouldn’t remember a thing

        https://twitter.com/Sportsfreakconz/status/562068109171773440
      • rawshark-yeshe 14.2.2

        2 February 2015 at 5:01 pm

        +1000 skinny. but I have hope someone will literally key-haul him over this. Winston should have ideas for the house and question time.
        • Skinny 14.2.2.1

          2 February 2015 at 6:33 pm

          Yes Rawshark-yeshe Winston doesn’t need the GCSB he has his own very good intel up North. Key will be hitting the bottle hard this long weekend dreading next weeks question time.

          I see Key telling more porkies trying to cover his tracks. First he masks his inaction by keeping Sabin as chair of the law & order select committee as if he knew nothing. Then attempts to fool us with Sabin is very unlucky not to have been promoted to a Minister this term.

          I note the damage control department made a correction from this morning to push back a further week into very early December when Key was first told by his chief of staff of issues surrounding Sabin, quick to point out ‘no written records.’

          Funny that! What sort of banana party are they running because their Northland executives have stated in the local press it was too late to stand another candidate for the election. So you mean to tell me this was kept from the leadership. Of course pinning it on the then Chief of Staff has deflecting the hit for the meantime, but it stinks. Very cunningly played.

          Judith Collins will be prancing about the House laughing how karma smiles on her after Brook Sabin’s attacks trying to remove her from the seat his father wanted.
      • Treetop 14.2.3

        2 February 2015 at 5:05 pm

        The rules regarding a candidate do not apply yeah right! Like I said @15.1 “Key is trying to steer clear of Sabin’s police file being used politically.”
15. rational thinker 15

    2 February 2015 at 3:43 pm

    This is my first post on any blog and I am neither left wing or right wing I believe these two notions separate us as a country and allow us to be divided to the point where we cant work together. I am however staunchly opposed to John Keys BS and read both left and right wing blogs to try and gain clarity on the issues at hand.

    Firstly if you look at the statement of keys “that he was aware of mike sabins personal issues in December” this is simply a use of words to try and portray a sense of innocence in regards to the true issue. The people of NZ do not care about the personal issues of mp in nz. The concern is was key aware of the investigation. His statement is only there to try and smokescreen the real issue and make it seem as though he has addressed or answered the issue. I would bet my left nut that he wont answer if he knew of any investigation into sabin.

    Secondly not a big cam slater fan but if people look at what his comments have been on the issue, though subtle I believe he knows full well the extent of the pms knowledge on the matter and this is probably the info that had the pm over a barrel , no lube , taking it like a champ

    If you go to the question at minute 4 it clarifies my first statement in my opinion. At the end of the interview he also dodges the question when he sought legal advice these two things together lead logic and rational thinking to the conclusion he was absolutely aware before the election http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/20165699
    • Treetop 15.1

      2 February 2015 at 4:39 pm

      I like your style rational thinker when it comes to the PM being held over a barrel by Slater. Tolley would have been informed by (Bush) the commissioner of police. I do not think for a second that she would not have disclosed this to Key.

      Key is trying to steer clear of Sabin’s police file being used politically. Sabin jumped and Key thinks that this is now the end of the matter.

      I have got a question for Sabin.

      Did you tell Key personally about the police investigation and when?
      • Tracey 15.1.1

        2 February 2015 at 4:49 pm

        two words

        “no surprises “
      • Treetop 15.1.2

        2 February 2015 at 4:55 pm

        I just have to add this. In Sabin’s time as a cop he would have come across some dodgey cops. Sabin knows if Key is dodgey or not.
    • Anne 15.2

      2 February 2015 at 6:54 pm

      This is my first post on any blog…

      And a good one ‘rational thinking’. Welcome to the blogging world. We all have our differences of opinions but it’s a world where you never stop learning…
16. Alpha 16

    2 February 2015 at 4:35 pm

    Key said, ‘To the best of my recollection!”

    bull shit
    • Neil 16.1

      2 February 2015 at 5:05 pm

      Sounds like Key speak for “I’m lying”
      If look back I think you will find every time Key has used that Phrase, he has been caught out lying.
      • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 16.1.1

        2 February 2015 at 7:27 pm

        Memory-challenged Key says “to the best of his recollection” … L O L !

        Laffing very hard. That really tickles the credibility of his assertion!
17. Neil 17

    2 February 2015 at 4:55 pm

    Key will know more than he is letting on, one only has to look at Keys past form of being more than economical with the truth to the point where it is more aptly called lying. What I cant understand is how the media & the voting public let Key get away with it.
18. adam 18

    2 February 2015 at 5:02 pm

    No wonder the roast busters walked under this national government. Even future cabinet ministers can indulge in unsavoury behaviour, till it gets to much to keep a lid on.
19. Morrissey 19

    2 February 2015 at 5:06 pm
    • Clemgeopin 19.1

      2 February 2015 at 6:09 pm

      Watch Crosby Textor coaching Key.
20. Neil 20

    2 February 2015 at 6:35 pm

    Bugga this bit is behind a pay wall.

    NBR understands the PM was first made aware of the assault complaint in April last year, months before the September 20 ballot – and that the National Party knew before the 2011 election.
    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 20.1

      2 February 2015 at 7:29 pm

      For those of us who dipped into the Wellington bubble inhabitants, even in the month prior to the election, stories were circulating.

      One of the many reasons, in my opinion, why the light was not shining strongly on Sabin was because Collins was hogging it all.

      And even then, she could not last the distance and she had to be fired. But it was stage-managed so that the press conference to announce firing her was done at the time during one of the major super graveyard shift of the media lifecycle to absolutely minimise damage: 2pm on a Saturday.
    • Clemgeopin 20.2

      2 February 2015 at 7:42 pm

      Key also used the words, “to be frank”…..another give away!

      “To be frank […] he was on the list of likely to be a minister, there was a real toss-up between him and a couple of other people who got in. That’s how confident we were or how lacking in knowledge of other issues that we were so it came as quite a shock to me when I was told about the family matters he was pursuing.”

      Key said he did not know when his chief of staff Wayne Eagleson knew of Mr Sabin’s issue!

      If that is the truth, then why not just ask Eagleson? Then SACK him for incompetence, all his other useless ‘advisers’ and crooked spin masters?

      Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/northland-by-election-date-set-2015020216#ixzz3QZD5kIlT

      To rephrase Walter Scott,

      “Oh what a tangled web he weaves,
      When first he practices to deceive!”
      • Anne 20.2.1

        2 February 2015 at 8:12 pm

        I thought it was Shakespeare in “As You Like It”. 😉

        Maybe you’re right and I’m wrong.
        • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 20.2.1.1

          2 February 2015 at 8:16 pm

          Walter Scott in his poem about the Battle of Flodden Field.
          • Anne 20.2.1.1.1

            2 February 2015 at 8:28 pm

            Thanks for the correction.
        • Clemgeopin 20.2.1.2

          2 February 2015 at 10:41 pm

          That is only one of the great quotes from others that is attributed to the bard!

          Here are some of the other quotes mistakenly Attributed to Shakespeare:

          http://www.shakespeare-online.com/faq/misquotesfaq.html

          There is another quote that will be attributed in future to Shakespeare and that is this:

          “Oh dear, what a lot of bullshit the man scatters around
          which the gullible foolish suckers happily imbibe it all,
          believing it smells like roses, myrrh and frankenstein!”
          • Anne 20.2.1.2.1

            3 February 2015 at 1:49 pm

            🙂
21. Clemgeopin 21

    2 February 2015 at 7:20 pm

    Labour leader Andrew Little is sceptical about when Mr Key would have known about Mr Sabin’s issues.

    “I don’t think it’s credible for him to say he didn’t know until the last week of Parliament,” he says.

    “That doesn’t line up with the information that was coming into my office at the time. I don’t think the Prime Minister is being straight on that. I think there was information circulating around, who knows whether it was rumour or whether it was substantiated, but there was information circulating around a lot longer than that.”

    If Mr Little became aware one of his MPs was under investigation, he says they would be stood down from any of their responsibilities which would be a conflict of interest or compromise the integrity or Parliament.

    Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/northland-by-election-date-set-2015020216#ixzz3QZ9AAe5V
22. outofbed 22

    2 February 2015 at 7:23 pm

    So after a bit of searching I found on what all the fuss was about and why the media are asking key when he knew. If key knew about this really yucky behaviour before the election and did nothing. Then he must go, abuse of this type cannot be tolerated under any curcumstance. Brook Sabin the tv3 reporter and the former mp,s son must be really under pressure. He probably should be taken off political reporting.
    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 22.1

      2 February 2015 at 7:42 pm

      For Key with his infamous ‘top drawer’ dirt files, credibility is not just a matter of optics or memory but elasticity.

      He is really stretching it close to snapping point … going going go..

      Oh quick. Point to something else. Hmm, what’s coming up. Oh, Waitangi Day. Yes, that will be “a bit rough”. Cue:

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/65691394/john-key-expects-waitangi-to-be-a-bit-rough
      • framu 22.1.1

        3 February 2015 at 8:03 am

        thats the second time i can remember that key has tried to stir up things on waitangi day
23. tc 23

    2 February 2015 at 8:30 pm

    Standards so high you have to get down on all fours with a magnifying glass.
    • mickysavage 23.1

      2 February 2015 at 8:31 pm

      🙂
    • rawshark-yeshe 23.2

      2 February 2015 at 11:43 pm

      golden, tc !
24. weizguy 24

    3 February 2015 at 8:14 am

    In a desperate attempt to deflect, Key used his interview on firstline this morning to bring up Helen Clark. When asked why Sabin wasn’t stood down (after he’d given us another reminder of how poorly he regards the Select Committee process) he helpfully mentioned that Helen Clark was investigated by Police while Prime Minister… and she didn’t step down.

    So gross.
    • dv 24.1

      3 February 2015 at 8:20 am

      Was that the speeding incident, or the signed painting?
25. rawshark-yeshe 25

    3 February 2015 at 10:38 am

    Andrew Little advised Key’s office on Sabin before end of November …

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/65711498/labour-tipped-off-pm-over-mike-sabin-troubles-andrew-little

    Question time is going to be very interesting!
    • Alpha 25.1

      3 February 2015 at 11:04 am

      key said he was informed by chief of staff Wayne Eagleson early december, and says no-one in the National party knew prior to that. ! (Yeah, right!)

      Key said he hadn’t spoken to Sabin about the scandal ! (Yeah, right!)

      but Little suggested Key’s version does not quite stack up. (absolutely right)
      • David H 25.1.1

        3 February 2015 at 7:15 pm

        Or there’s this little gem.

        http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/police-asked-questions-mike-sabin-six-months-ago-6227697
    • alwyn 25.2

      3 February 2015 at 12:12 pm

      I do like the bit where Little says
      “Little …. was confident he would have a record on file to show the contact between his office and the prime minister’s by November 28.”
      They left out the next words to McCarten.
      “Write it now!”.
      • freedom 25.2.1

        3 February 2015 at 12:29 pm

        wow, project much alwyn? 😎
    • Treetop 25.3

      3 February 2015 at 12:14 pm

      Little needs to call for an inquiry. Sabin had leverage against Key IF Sabin told Key earlier than what Key says. The rumour would have been in two camps, the political and the police camp.

      Operational matters are left up to Bush. The police need to do their own inquiry to establish whether or not they were the source of the breach and to disclose whether or not the minister of police was informed and when. If Tolley was informed then an operational matter was disclosed.

      Due to there being an investigation by the police into an MP, (also an ex cop), Bush would need to make sure that Sabin’s file was stored securely.
26. Paul 26

    3 February 2015 at 10:41 am

    Has this story the potential to bring down Key?
27. rawshark-yeshe 27

    3 February 2015 at 11:04 am

    Confession 😀 .. I have just visited the blog we never visit but I don’t know how to share the kind of link where you can read it without actually visiting. Today there is some very harsh criticism of Key re Sabin. Actually, very damning of our beloved liar-in-chief who will be seriously displeased and disturbed about this, I am sure !

    Can someone else please post the right kind of link ?
    • lprent 27.1

      3 February 2015 at 11:14 am

      Whaleoil has stopped being on the automoderation list for a while. People stopped trying astroturf links to the site.

      However you can use http://www.donotlink.com/
      • rawshark-yeshe 27.1.1

        3 February 2015 at 11:22 am

        Thx lprent .. that was simple to use !

        So here: Key has shit in his brains according to Slater :

        http://www.donotlink.com/dh44
    • Alpha 27.2

      3 February 2015 at 11:50 am

      yep, in the article CS says,

      -John Key has a rush of ‘shit’ in his brains.

      also says,
      – National has known about this issue for months, but sat there on the info.

      -he doesn’t believe key.

      -says Key pulls his best Sgt Schultz impression and declares he knew nothing.

      -says the issue didn’t come as a shock to key. says it is pure unadulterated bullshit.

      -says that key has just, with that one statement, ‘bled away a considerable amount of caucus support. The mutterings in caucus can be heard here in Auckland’.

      -in comments he says that key is lying and the sabin information was NOT kept at arm’s length from key!

      -says ‘John Key is going to have to lift his game or he is going to be in serious trouble. Then ends article by asking this very strange or significant question :
      “Would John Key have left a wife beater in a senior party position? Or would that be a surprise to him AS WELL?”!
      • Treetop 27.2.1

        3 February 2015 at 12:52 pm

        I’m no lawyer (stop laughing).

        Could Sabin say that his case was being prejudiced by Slater and ask for it to be thrown out?

        or

        Defamation by Slater?

        Wonder who Sabin’s lawyer will be?

        Wonder if cops will charge him?

        If incident occurred in 2011, it is now 2015. The time it has taken and will take, smells of stage managing. (Bush would have had to have taken into account the political fallout and Bush was appointed by the government).
    • Treetop 27.3

      3 February 2015 at 12:30 pm

      Exposing a taboo!
      • rawshark-yeshe 27.3.1

        3 February 2015 at 2:35 pm

        incidents, incidentally.
28. tracey 28

    3 February 2015 at 12:44 pm

    tv1 just managed to mention it last night…

    if key goes down, hard to imagine, ms collins steps up to joyce. slater motivation bearing in mind pay back double.

    btw sabin is innocent of any crime til proven guilty
    • Treetop 28.1

      3 February 2015 at 1:08 pm

      “btw sabin is innocent of any crime til proven guilty.”

      Stepping down as chairman of the law and order select committee is one thing, resigning from parliament and forcing a by election so soon after a general election is another matter.

      I think that Sabin could not stay because of having to keep up with the lie and it would be too easy to be caught out or to expose Key.

      Possibly Sabin wanted to avoid the inevitable of being found guilty and then resigning.
      • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 28.1.1

        3 February 2015 at 2:44 pm

        What will come through the wash will be too damaging to soldier on or brush aside. So, instead of being stood down, cut to the chase now.
    • One Anonymous Bloke 28.2

      4 February 2015 at 10:43 am

      If the prominent New Zealander’s disputed facts hearing is relevant that means he pled guilty, doesn’t it?
29. Pete George 29

    3 February 2015 at 7:43 pm

    It’s getting murkier, but a wee exchange at Whale Oil:

    caochladh
    Amongst all this rhetoric, supposition, innuendo and second guessing, where is the primary evidence to prove any of it?

    Pete
    We aren’t allowed to tell you.

    stanace
    Well if you are not allowed to tell us, would JK not have been in the same position, ie would not be allowed to do anything about it?

    http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2015/02/earth-going-john-keys-mind/#comment-1831426186
    (A different Pete)
    • Te Reo Putake 29.1

      3 February 2015 at 8:15 pm

      🙄
    • weka 29.2

      3 February 2015 at 8:22 pm

      Jesus, that comment requires all sorts of special 🙄
      • Tracey 29.2.1

        4 February 2015 at 10:38 am

        cool to see keys anonymous posters up against slater and co tho… 😉
    • freedom 29.3

      3 February 2015 at 8:36 pm

      Helping to build the PM’s defensive line are we? 🙄

      -maybe instead of wasting our time, you could spend some time looking for relevant videos for your own blog instead of just throwing up whatever. Took exactly five seconds on google to find the Python Skit you probably didn’t bother looking for 😎
    • Tracey 29.4

      4 February 2015 at 10:34 am

      so pete when was the suppression order made and key could have said “i cant cos it is sub judice” couldnt he?
30. Pete George 30

    4 February 2015 at 8:29 pm

    when was the suppression order made

    I don’t know. Does anyone know? There was blanket suppression of something in court last week but does anyone know if that was putting suppression in place or extending it?

    and key could have said “i cant cos it is sub judice” couldnt he?””

    That sounds like the sensible approach to me. It’s hard to fathom why Key is handling/mishandling this they way he is. Looks poor even if he turns out to be not very wrong overall. One day this sort of behaviour from Key will precipitate his political demise. Perhaps he thinks he can always get away with it because he has so far but one time it will prove to be unrecoverable, and his accumulated record will play a significant part in that.
    • Clemgeopin 30.1

      4 February 2015 at 9:01 pm

      It is not sub judice to state WHEN he was informed that there was a police investigation against his MP who was the chairman of the law and order committee. If he took the line you are suggesting, then that too would have been another lie from Key.

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