Green MP Nandor Tanczos today called for the President of the Police Association Greg O'Connor to apologise for publicly implying that Nandor had misled the public.

Mr O'Connor told a Select Committee in July that the reason why Nandor had been stopped and searched repeatedly by the police when he was younger was because they may have thought he looked like a criminal and that they may have believed he was carrying a knife.

On the Kim Hill Show yesterday Mr O'Connor denied making these comments in the Select Committee.

When Nandor raised this exchange in an interview on the Kim Hill Show yesterday Mr O'Connor said: 'Nandor is the only one who heard me say that... that isn't actually what happened... there were media present, there was a lot of other members of the select committee present, no-one else heard me say that, Nandor was the only one who heard me say that... Nandor's 'interpretation' was reported in The Herald.'

"In fact the reporting of this event in The Herald is quite clear and it quotes Mr O'Connor verbatim," Nandor said. "The Herald has had no complaints about the reporting of this exchange and the reporter stands by her story."

In responding to Mr Tanczos' questions in Select Committee as to why he was searched, The Herald on July 19 quoted Mr O'Connor as saying: 'When you were stopped, it wouldn't be looking for cannabis. They [police] might believe you had a knife... Now they know who you are they know you're unlikely to have a knife'.

The Herald also said: 'Mr O'Connor said Mr Tanczos' appearance could have led police officers to believe he was involved in criminal activity'.

Nandor said he had written to the Police Commissioner earlier this year expressing his concern at the police practice outlined by Mr O'Connor. The Commissioner wrote back saying Mr O'Connor disputed Nandor's version of events and that independent evidence was being sought before a final response would be made.

"Mr O'Connor has said on National Radio that this never happened. He has also told the Police Commissioner it didn't happen. The evidence shows that it did," said Nandor.

"Mr O'Connor made surprisingly frank statements to the Select Committee and just because they don't suit him any longer he cannot rewrite history. Claiming that I have got it wrong cannot change what happened.

"If Mr O'Connor has evidence to the contrary he should produce it. Otherwise I expect an apology from him for slurring my reputation. He should also set the record straight with the Police Commissioner."

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