A campaign against the New Zealand First Ilam candidate, Dr Andrew Gin, by The Press in Christchurch has failed.

He has been advised that ACC found no evidence to support a claim that he had “double dipped “ for the amount of $26, arising from treating a patient five months ago for a back injury and a kidney problem.

Dr Gin was interviewed by an ACC investigator at the weekend after a complaint laid last week by “The Press” newspaper in Christchurch. The result of that investigation is contained in a release by ACC today (attached).

The New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, said Dr Gin was placed in an impossible position by this allegation which was carried on the front page of the Christchurch Press.

“He could not defend himself because of patient/doctor confidentiality, and the patient refused to allow his medical details to be discussed publicly.

“The Press was prepared to destroy the reputation of a fine doctor just to get at New Zealand First, by making an allegation to ACC, then reporting it.

“Dr Gin has advised us that he intends to issue defamation proceedings because of the attack on his professional reputation,“ said Mr Peters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>