In the second Dirty Politics report issued today, Collins is vindicated by Justice Lester Chisholm. Her way back to Cabinet was subsequently cleared by Key. But a stench hangs around this report. It is hardly forensic. It did not seek out crucial evidence - Facebook messages from Collins deleted account (still retrievable), emails, and missing phone records. The author appears to have shrugged off Slaters withholding of emails from the inquiry. He didnt think it necessary to interview key players, lawyer Cathy Odgers and Hanover boss Mark Hotchin. Key might feel inoculated from Dirty Politics by both reports because they do not directly implicate him. He takes hands-off to a disturbing extreme. It stretches credibility to suggest Key - and his chief of staff Wayne Eagleson - bear no responsibility for the conduct of de Joux and Ede.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 06:56:19 +0000