David Cunliffe
Labour Leader
Security and Intelligence Spokesperson
20 February 2014
Blundering spy agency proves need for review
The latest embarrassing blunder by the Government Communications and Security Bureau proves why a review into all our
spy agencies must be held, Labour’s Leader and Security and Intelligence spokesperson David Cunliffe says.
“Interception warrants by the bureau have been under the spotlight for the past two years following the raids on the
Dotcom mansion.
“It is mindboggling the GCSB couldn’t get the number of warrants it’s issued correct in its annual report.
“The bureau has a lot of work to do to restore public confidence. This latest snafu will do nothing to reassure Kiwis
their spy agencies are competent.
“As minister in charge of the GCSB and the Security Intelligence Service, John Key is ultimately responsible for this
latest bungle.
“He should hang his head in shame.
“When revealing right-wing blogger Cameron Slater as the source of his information on Kim Dotcom last week, the Prime
Minister said he was ‘happy for a complete review of GCSB, of SIS, of every agency I have any involvement with’.
“Labour has made repeated calls for such an investigation.
“If John Key is serious about restoring the credibility of the GCSB, he will put his money where his mouth is,” David
Cunliffe says.
ENDS