Right-wing blogger Matthew Hooton has promised that more revelations will come out on Judith Collins and John Key wasn’t denying that could be the case in Auckland today.
Hooton told 3 News he was “called by a low-level staffer in the beehive on Wednesday who told me a story about a forthcoming email that was even worse than the one that has been in the papers today”. Hooton has refused to release details of the newly-leaked emails but insists that if it comes out the police commissioner would have to launch an inquiry under ‘section 116 of the Crimes act’.
The section states the following:
“(116) Conspiring to defeat justice:
Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who conspires to obstruct, prevent, pervert, or defeat the course of justice in New Zealand or the course of justice in an overseas jurisdiction.”
The Prime Minister has not been briefed on what the emails might be.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told Brook Sabin he was “certain” there was more to come on Collins and that the whole affair had derailed National’s campaign severely.
3 News released a list of errors by the Justice minister dating back to March 2009, not even one year into the Key government’s first term. It stated:
“MARCH 2009: Collins falls out with Corrections CEO.
MARCH 2012: Denies leaking Bronwyn Pullar’s name.
DECEMBER 2012: Public spat with Canadian judge over David Bain compensation.
MARCH 2014: Oravida and secret dinner with Chinese border official (LAST CHANCE). [Prime Minister gives Judith Collins a final warning over her behaviour as a minister).
MAY 2014: Verbally attacks TVNZ journalist.
AUGUST 2014: Alleged leak of public servants’ details. [Leading to death threats]
AUGUST 2014: Alleged plot against Key.
AUGUST 2014: Alleged smear against SFO boss.”
It was not until leadership rumours began to surface that Key began to act, possibly fearing his career. Mr. Key refused to say he didn’t believe Winston Peters in his word that he was approached by a Team Collins supporter asking if he would join a confidence and supply agreement with National if Judith Collins were the leader instead of John Key.
Judith Collins always had leadership ambitions.
With John Key’s leadership starting to appear unstable, and his popularity reaching news depths [3 News poll. Preferred PM: 41%], it is becoming clear that to stay in power he will need to cut some deals. In not criticising Winston Peters for his exposition of a potential coup within the National Party, John Key is able to remain neutral. Most polls are already saying he will once again need the support of his support partners; ACT, United Future and the Maori Party. All three are failing to make headway in the polls with ACT now trailing United Future and the Maori Party stuck at 1%. Key is looking at his options, and the Conservative Party and New Zealand First are now potential partners.
Mr. Key has previously laughed off teaming up with New Zealand First, but things are getting desperate in the National camp as every day the campaign crumbles more intensely.
Winston Peters said, upon being asked if he may join Key in government, that the Prime Minister had no credibility but would wait till after the election.
With more email leaks to come and the Dotcom revelation on September 15, there is simply no room for Key to talk policy – and he’s getting tired of it, with the biggest scandal in recent New Zealand political history looking to last well beyond the election.
Whether Key will complete a full third term, if re-elected, is increasingly looking doubtful.
B. Morgan, Insiders, 2014.
Sources: 3 News report by Brook Sabin (dated: 31/08/2014) [br], New Zealand Legislation (government website), Crimes Act 1961,No 43,Section 116.
[Insiders] 