We have the following comments to make in response to the various comments made by Mr Winston Peters in the House today:

1. For ethical reasons, this firm can neither confirm nor deny any dealings in a professional capacity with particular individuals. We wish to point out to Mr Peters that it is a fundamental legal right of all persons, including those temporarily or even illegally in New Zealand, to obtain access to confidential legal advice.

2. On the question whether any intending migrant or refugee would be attracted to New Zealand as a destination because of the Ahmed Zaoui case, we consider it ludicrous for Mr Peters to suggest that anyone could be attracted by the prospect of spending 2 years in a maximum security prison (nearly half of which was spent in solitary confinement), as has been Mr Zaoui’s fate on claiming refugee status in this country.

3. For any further clarification of the principle of client-lawyer confidentiality, we would suggest that queries be directed to the Auckland District Law Society.

Richard McLeod Principal

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