Rickards and Veitch

Both men are in the news over job offers.

Clint Rickards is negotiating with the Waipareira Trust over a job to reduce the crime rate among Maori youth. I think this is an worthy initiative. Rickards was unsuited to continue in the Police, and his behaviour 20 years ago was shameful. But why would you have him sitting on the dole, when he might be able to make a difference with some at risk youth. People can put their past behind them.

With Tony Veitch, he is discussing a role with Radioworks on B-Sport. I think this is very risky for Radioworks. Veitch has been charged with criminal offences and is yet to face trial. We don’t know what will come out at trial. It could be very damaging to Radioworks to hire him without knowing what may emerge at trial. Some people might see that as an attitude of not caring what comes out at trial. And what if he is convicted and sent to prison? Do you want to explain that someone is off the air because they are in prison?

Now it is quite possible Veitch may not be found guilty, and that what emerges in trial, will not paint him in as black a light as some media leaks have suggested. And it is tough not to be working while awaiting trial. But the answer is to get the trial to court as soon as possible. Let the facts of the case emerge, tested through a trial process.