Another blow against Parker

Another former Environment Ministry staffer has spoken out and revealed what has really gone on in the Environment Ministry.

TV3 has the video here.

The summary is

• Former communications manager, Keith Lyons (who now works for international aid agencies in Tibet) has said it seemed Mr Parker left the ministry no choice about hiring Ms Curran, that “It seemed like it was being imposed on the ministry,”
• Parker “wanted to boost his own profile” and “It sounded like, from him, that the appointment was not negotiable. The minister wanted to ensure his own interests were promoted.”

• Also Lyons defends Erin Leigh (who says Trevor Mallard has ruined her reputation and her business) saying he would “rate her one of the top communications professionals I have come across”

• Lyons says that Trevor Mallard has made  untrue and unfounded claims and “he has misled the House and also the nation,”

The evidence against David Parker is mounting.  Two different employees have said he intervened to get Clare Curran hired for his own political interests.  The SSC inquiry better damn well be interviewing those former staff, and also looking at why no one stood up to the Minister.

Trevor Mallard comes close to deserving to join David Parker in being sacked from Cabinet. Mallard’s vicious slander of Erin Leigh has been refuted by two of her former bosses, plus a former Ministry CEO.  If he does not do a sincere apology in Parliament tomorrow, then he should be sacked.