PM must take action over Collins’ Whale Oil leak

The Prime Minister John Key must properly investigate Minister of Justice Judith Collins, leaking a public servants’ name and contact details to the Whale Oil blogsite, the Green Party said today.

Ms Collins leaked public servant, Simon Pleasants' details after she suspected he had provided information, in 2009, about Finance Minister Bill English double-dipping on his housing allowance. Mr Pleasants had not leaked any information, but was subject to death threats on Cameron Slater's Whale Oil blogsite.

“It is simply unacceptable that Judith Collins has tried and found a public servant guilty of leaking information without any proof,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today.

“The Minister of Justice effectively tried and convicted a public servant with no proof.

“Using information in this way is another attempt to politicise the public service.

“Ms Collins’ leak to Whale Oil resulted in a worker in Ministerial services being attacked and vilified after his name was published on the Whale Oil blog site.

“Her actions led to an innocent man being threatened and defamed.
“Judith Collins’ actions are not those of a responsible Minister of the Executive.

“The Prime Minister cannot simply keep burying his head in the sand regarding Judith Collins’ repeated indiscretions.

“John Key must investigate his Minister of Justice’s actions immediately,” said Mrs Turei.

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