Review of Brash emails investigation completed

The Police review of the investigation into the publication of the allegedly "leaked" Dr Don Brash emails has been completed and found the source of the emails could not been established.

The review, overseen by Auckland Region Assistant Commissioner Steve Shortland, investigated complaints and allegations made to the Police Commissioner and the IPCA by Dr Brash that the original investigation was conducted in a "cavalier fashion" and was the subject of political bias.

The review found that the investigation was competently carried out and agreed with its findings. However, the review was critical of the lack of management over the timeliness of progress reports provided to Dr Brash and that he had to wait too long for his copy of the final report.

The findings of the review did not support the complaint that the investigation was conducted in a "cavalier fashion". However, it was of the view that there had been a lack of urgency to complete the investigation once it was established that there were no threats to national and Parliamentary security.

"The original investigation was conducted in accordance with Police practice. However, I acknowledge we could have been more timely with the closing stages of the investigation and final reports. But this in no-way detracted from the professional conduct of the staff involved or the final outcome of the investigation," said Mr Shortland.

"Issues involving Police management and administration of this case file have been addressed and guidelines for the receipt, evaluation and assessment, investigation and monitoring of complaints of a political nature are being developed."

There was no evidence of political bias.

Almost 200 interviews were conducted with parliamentary employees - including I&T, security, messengers, cleaners and contractors, along with a number of other people, to corroborate information gathered in the original investigation.

Although no suspect leads were identified, the interviews did provide evidence of unsatisfactory security on the 3rd floor both in terms of access to the floor and offices and to individual computers. These afforded opportunities for access to a range of documents both hardcopy and electronic.

"Despite the number of staff and hours invested in the investigation and the review and examination of computers, it has not been possible to establish the source of the emails and other documentation that found there way into the public arena," said Mr Shortland.

"I am fully satisfied that everything possible has been done to identify the source of the emails and this is now the end of the matter."

ENDS

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