Winston Peters Letters To Speaker Concerning PM Breach Of Privilege
Two letters to Speaker Lockwood Smith from Rt Hon Winston Peters tabled in Parliament today - 16th October 2012 -
concerning an alleged breach of privilege by Prime Minister John Key in statements made n the GCSB /Kim Dotcom affair.
LETTER ONE
3 October 2012
Dr The Rt. Hon. Lockwood Smith MP
Speaker
House of Representatives
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Dear Mr Speaker,
I write to you to request that an investigation be undertaken into a breach of parliamentary privilege by the Rt Hon
John Key.
It is my view that Mr Key has misled the House in answering Oral Question 10 on the 26th September 2012. Please find the
Hansard of this attached.
Today, in a Government press release it was revealed that Mr Key was first made aware of Mr Dotcom at a GCSB briefing on
the 29th February 2012. Please find the press release attached.
I maintain that under Standing Order 406 (1) (a) this action has both obstructed and impeded the House in the
performance of its function; and that under Standing Order 406 (1) (b) this omission has obstructed and impeded the
questioning of members of the House.
Under Standing Order 407 (b) I believe that the House ought to treat this misleading of the House as contempt.
Thank you for your consideration
LETTER TWO
15 October 2012
Dr The Rt. Hon. Lockwood Smith MP
Speaker
House of Representatives
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PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Dear Mr Speaker
On the 3rd of October I wrote to you in order to raise an issue of a breach of parliamentary privilege.
I provided several excerpts of supporting evidence which I believe amounts to a prima facie case against the Prime
Minister.
Since lodging that breach of privilege letter with your office, twelve days have elapsed in which your office has
neither acknowledged the letter, nor come to a decision regarding the breach of privilege.
This letter seeks an explanation as to why no answer from your office has been forthcoming.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours sincerely
Rt Hon Winston Peters
Leader
New Zealand First
ENDS