Did Police Ignore Threats leading to Assassination Allegations?

Te Ururoa Flavell, Member of Parliament for Waiariki

Wednesday 14 November 2007

Waiariki Member of Parliament, Te Ururoa Flavell, today has queried the nature of the security risk that was identified in the Police surveillance exercise carried out over the last eighteen months, focused on Ruatoki.

"If we are to believe information published by the media today" said Te Ururoa Flavell, "we would learn that the affidavit from Police stated they had been concerned about six "quasi-military training camps" held in the Ruatoki region this year.

"We would also learn of very disturbing allegations specifically naming and targeting the Leader of the Opposition, Mr John Key" said Flavell.

"And yet just over three months ago, on the 2nd August 2007, presumably in the heat of the surveillance operation, that same Leader of the Opposition met with the Ruatoki Tribal Executive at Owhakatoro Marae" announced Te Ururoa Flavell. "Mr Key was accompanied by two of his Senior MPs, Hon Georgina te HeuHeu and Hon Tau Henare".

"I know, because I attended the same hui" stated Flavell.

"As I recall, local Tuhoe identity, Tame Iti, asked the first question of Mr Key, and participated with dignity throughout the hui" stated Mr Flavell.

"The question that has been troubling me, is, if the secret evidence Police had gathered under such a covert surveillance exercise had been robust, then why did the Police potentially endanger the lives of four Members of Parliament, including myself?"

"I believe, however, it was because there were no terrorist plots in action, that our hui continued on regardless" ended Mr Flavell.

"Having spoken to Mr Key, I know that he enjoyed engaging with the Tuhoe people, he definitely appreciated their hospitality and the interaction, and he felt safe at all times" ended Mr Flavell.

ENDS

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