21 May 2002

Serious Fraud Office Not The Place For Lap Dogs Or Poodles

“David Bradshaw, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office, should never have been reappointed,” according to Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First.

“A fundamental requirement of a Serious Fraud Office is independence from interference by Central Government just as it is for the Police and Judiciary.

“Similarly to his disgraceful failure to act after the Winebox High Court decision, the situation we now have is that Mr Bradshaw is deferring to his political masters for advice and guidance as to whom his office is to give attention to. That undermines the very fabric of the fundamental premise upon which his office is founded.

“The Attorney General, Miss Wilson, should have sent the Senior Fraud Office Director away to carry out his duties independently, rather than fill his head with instructions. Mr Bradshaw, by his own actions, has become the lapdog of Miss Wilson and he has undermined the independence of his office. In other words, Mr Bradshaw has permitted himself and his organisation to become the poodle of Miss Wilson,” concluded Mr Peters.

ENDS

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