Gerry Brownlee MP
National Party State Services Spokesman

20 December 2007

Hugh Logan falls on sword ahead of report

National Party State Services spokesman Gerry Brownlee says Environment Ministry boss Hugh Logan has paid the ultimate price for doing what he was asked and providing a dirt file on Erin Leigh to Minister Trevor Mallard.

“Mr Mallard was the one who publicly defamed Erin Leigh, not Mr Logan. Mr Mallard must take responsibility for the role he has played in this sorry saga.”

Mr Brownlee notes that Hugh Logan was not employed at MfE when Labour Party activist Clare Curran was ‘fast-tracked’ into employment after being recommended by David Parker.

“So Mr Logan’s resignation cannot be related to the hiring of Clare Curran or the allegations of Ministerial meddling in the department at that time.”

However, Mr Brownlee says Mr Logan’s handling of the Madeleine Setchell sacking, the provision of inaccurate information to the Minister, and the flawed evidence he gave to an earlier States Services Commission inquiry would be factors in the decision.

“But, if Mr Logan had not remembered the discussion with David Benson-Pope about Madeleine Setchell, the public may never have known that the former Minister was lying.

“It was Mr Logan who blew the whistle on David Benson-Pope, and it was only after his memory returned that State Services Commissioner Mark Prebble recovered from his amnesia.

“Though Mr Logan has not covered himself in glory, he should not be the lone scapegoat for Labour Government Ministers who have meddled in departmental affairs – even before he started in his role.

“At the heart of this issue is whether Ministers have interfered in departmental appointments for political reasons.

“We now wait with interest the SSC report on the Clare Curran contract, which is due to be released this afternoon.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media