A campaign against the New Zealand First Ilam candidate, Dr Andrew Gin, by The Press in Christchurch has failed.

He has been advised that ACC found no evidence to support a claim that he had “double dipped “ for the amount of $26, arising from treating a patient five months ago for a back injury and a kidney problem.

Dr Gin was interviewed by an ACC investigator at the weekend after a complaint laid last week by “The Press” newspaper in Christchurch. The result of that investigation is contained in a release by ACC today (attached).

The New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, said Dr Gin was placed in an impossible position by this allegation which was carried on the front page of the Christchurch Press.

“He could not defend himself because of patient/doctor confidentiality, and the patient refused to allow his medical details to be discussed publicly.

“The Press was prepared to destroy the reputation of a fine doctor just to get at New Zealand First, by making an allegation to ACC, then reporting it.

“Dr Gin has advised us that he intends to issue defamation proceedings because of the attack on his professional reputation,“ said Mr Peters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The New Government’s Policies Of Yesteryear

Winston Peters is routinely described as the kingmaker who decides whether the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded, but equally important role as the scapegoat who can be blamed for killing taxes that his senior partners never much wanted in the first place. Neither Ardern nor Robertson for example, really wanted a capital gains tax, for fear of Labour copping the “tax and spend“ label they ended up being saddled with anyway. Usefully though, they could tell the party faithful it was wicked old Winston who killed the CGT. More