Questions remain why it has taken the Government and the Commissioner over a month to begin the dismissal process of convicted rapist Colin McLean. They have known for 17 months that this conviction was coming. Now New Zealanders have to wait another few weeks to get this predator off the police payroll, National's Police spokesperson Tony Ryall said today.

In the House today George Hawkins said that 'on Monday 30 April papers were served on Constable McLean under section 32 of the Police Act'.

Yet, on Late Edition last night, Tuesday 1 May, Mr Hawkins told Linda Clark that the Commissioner would not issue any papers under section 32 'because in the past he has not managed to be successful at that'. 'These things have been tried and they've been overturned...[by the Employment Court]'.

"Why did the Minister not tell Parliament this yesterday?

"Why did he suggest it couldn't be stopped because the law was wrong?

"The Commissioner had 17 months to prepare for this dismissal. He does his credibility no good when he now takes action a month after the conviction," Mr Ryall said.

Mr Ryall also tabled documents in Parliament, which show the Employment Court has supported the Commissioner's right to dismiss convicted officers in the past, despite the Minister's claims.

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