Bring Undercover Problems Into Open Says Peters

New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters has called for a Commission of Inquiry into some of the problems created by undercover police operations.

There have been ongoing allegations of drug taking, and corrupted evidence given by undercover officers who received inadequate direction and support during and after their undercover activities, he said.

“These allegations and many others of an equally serious nature have been in the public arena for some time. Many politicians have been approached at some time to assist these individuals who now feel abandoned by the establishment.

“For a number of reasons, some of a complex legal nature, these ex-police officers feel they have been denied the opportunity to have their day in court and I believe that only a commission of inquiry can help them now. “When some of the current cabinet ministers were in Opposition, they supported these former undercover agents and I am looking to see them support this initiative. The ministers are George Hawkins, Lianne Dalziel, Pete Hodgson and Jim Anderton.

“It is time for them to stand up and be counted,” said Mr Peters.

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