TV3 News

Friday, 20 August 1999, 6:24 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

WINEBOX: His finest moment reduces Winston Peters to tears. Winston Peters got the news while speaking to 300 of his most ardent fans. "This cause was kept going by ordinary people in this country….I want to say that we have won." Audience breaks into song after the news. In post speech press conference Winston says he is glad he stopped several powerful people. "We have spent so much money and effort that we were never going to stop".

WINEBOX: High Court in Auckland in shock. The court not only ruled the errors in law invalid but overruled the criticisms of Peters. The High Court found that Sir Ronald Davison made numerous errors in law. The report criticised Peters for failing to show fraud. This finding was overturned. The court also decided that the commission was led by error in law. Winston Peters lawyer says the next step is up to the

WINEBOX: Several others are reading and re-reading the judgement. Tax expert Michael Scott says he feels vindicated. Author Ian Wishart - ditto - "no-one has ever been brought to account:" Jenny McManus of the Independent is also delighted.

WINEBOX: Political Editor Jane Young live: The timing has launched his election campaign. At the moment the Beehive is deciding what this means. The overwhelming impression around here however is - "Winston Peters get on with your life."

SCOTT WATSON TRIAL: A witness in the Scott Watson double murder trial has told the court that Watson showed him how he killed Olivia Hope. Only the families wer present for the evidence. Former Addington remand prisoner - Witness A - says Watson claimed police had "nothing on me". He also said that Watson screamed in his sleep. Witness A said Watson freaked out when they found a hair on his boat and said he would claim it was planted. Defence Lawyer questioned witness on his record. He has an extensive record and psychiatric history. Secret Witness B also quizzed Watson in prison. Watson told him he was having wet dreams about the murder. The witness also has numerous convictions for violence even though he said he found it abhorrent. Secret Witness B was given bail, a cellphone and a car after he made a statement to police.

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SCOTT WATSON TRIAL: Reporter Live: The credibility of this evidence is up to the Jury to decide. Atmosphere in the court was strange. The jury was watching these witnesses closely. The families have known about these witnesses for a long time.

TURKISH QUAKE: Search for survivors of the Turkish earthquake continues. Death toll has topped 7000 but 10s of thousands may still be missing. Six year-old boy found in the rubble. Another two or three year old was also pulled out alive, and claps rescuers. Some miraculous reunions among survivors. Machinery is now tearing down tottering buildings. Mayor says as many as 5000 may still be buried in his town. 60% of town's buildings destroyed. Young civil engineer said poor construction standards magnified effect of the earth-quake. Estimates of the economic cost are rising. Next problem is what to do with bodies. Ice-rink converted into a morgue. Some bodies may have to be buried before they are identified. Red Cross says NZers have contributed $250,000 already.

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

Contact Alastair Thompson

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