Media Release
2 September 2004

Peters Calls For Inquiry Into Edwards Case

Rt Hon Winston Peters has called for an independent inquiry into the police decision not to prosecute Phillip Edwards for a violent incident reported at 8 Rocky Nook Road Auckland in September 2002.

Mr Peters said this afternoon that neither the Police Minister, nor the Police had given satisfactory answers as to why a violent offender had not been charged in court for a serious crime.

“The victim’s lawyer, John Haigh, QC, has said publicly that the victim was violently attacked in a burglary at his Morningside home, Auckland, in September 2002.

“Phillip Edwards had a substantial history of offending. Less than two months before the incident in Rocky Nook Road he had assaulted a female for which he was later sentenced to six months imprisonment.

“This assault took place while Edwards was on bail for a burglary. The initial complaint about the Rocky Nook Road incident was recorded by Police as an aggravated burglary, that is a burglary involving violence.

“The Police Minister has repeatedly claimed that he cannot comment on an operational matter yet this afternoon in Parliament he admitted requesting a report into the police delay in attending a callout to a Parliamentary select committee incident in Auckland.

“It is impossible to grasp the Minister’s logic and an inquiry should be used to resolve the disquiet over this issue,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media