Nats stunned by Government response to RSA killings

The National Party is stunned by the way the Government’s shrugged off suggestions of a formal Police investigation into the events leading up to Auckland’s RSA murders.

“The acting Police Minister seems extraordinarily relaxed about the fact that Duane William Bell’s name was given to police in connection with a burglary a week before the killings,” says National Party Leader Bill English.

“Going by the way he answered questions in Parliament, Paul Swain’s also unconcerned that William Duane Bell had been released on parole five months before the triple murders.“

“The brother of one victim has been quoted as saying that ‘he committed a parole violation and instead of putting him back in jail, they let him out on the street.” says Mr English.

“This is a major issue, I’m offended that Mr Swain’s choosing to laugh off serious criticism of our justice system.

“It’s not enough for the Corrections Department to undertake a review, the Police must do the same.

“In June 2000 the Police Minister told us the Government had a contract with Police that ‘now requires all burglaries to be responded to within 24 hours.’

“Well that didn’t happen here and it’s yet more evidence the thin blue line is being stretched too far in Auckland.

“The families of all three victims and the sole survivor need to know the whole story, they say this was no accident.

“Not only do they deserve a proper explanation, but so do the public of New Zealand.

“We need to be assured that people like Bell aren’t slipping through the net,” Mr English says.

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