Tony Ryall National Commerce Spokesperson

14 August 2001

PM should widen Oughton investigation

The Prime Minister should widen the investigation into leaks on the 'People's Bank' to include ministerial offices, National's Commerce spokesperson, Tony Ryall, said today.

"The investigator, David Oughton, should be looking into both ends of the paper trail, not just the easy targets.

"In Parliament today, Dr Michael Cullen - for the Prime Minister - ignored National's request, refusing to be drawn on the matter.

"The Prime Minister has confidently pointed the finger at the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit (CCMAU), even though Mr Oughton says the investigation will take another ten days, and has a 50:50 chance of tracing the leak.

"Currently, Mr Oughton is only interviewing CCMAU staff. But most of these papers have also been sent to the Beehive offices of several Ministers.

"In the interests of fairness and natural justice, everyone who has had access to these papers should be interviewed. To target only one end of the paper trail is unfair," Tony Ryall said.

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