Campbell vs Peters
If you want some humour, watch this interview of Winston Peters by John Campbell. Not sure whether it is more funny or sad.
Peter George has a transcript:
Campbell: How did he breach national security?
Peters: Well he leaked information on a very important report, to do with the malfunction of the GCSB, that’s the Kitteridge report, and then there’s the matter of moral within the GCSB, a separate matter, no no no, let me finish, you want to know how I’m going to give you a snapshot, just three, not all of them, just three. And the third one was he made reference to someone he should not have made reference to on the question of the GCSB appointments.
Campbell: Ok, let’s go through these things one at a time. The Kitteridge report, it was going to be made public.
Peters: I know what you’re trying to say, and some of your colleagues are doing the same, they’re saying…
Campbell: No wait a minute, I’m not trying to say anything, it’s a statement of fact
Peters: …over the last twenty four hour, a repetitive argument he just broke the embargo…
Campbell: You’re hearing fact, you’re hearing fact…
Peters: …let me tell you why it’s not fact, and I’m sure you’re interested in that, the ah Fairfax outlet said it was a secret report, and it was, the second thing is it was described in the State Services and parliamentary record of being such a document in it’s past precedence. Then you’ve got the fact an investigator appointed by the National Party, said as well it was classified and highly sensitive…
Campbell: Mr Peters, look, I can’t sit here and let you spout nonsense to me, absolutely, I’m going to read what David Henry said, verbatim quote.
“On the afternoon of 27th March Mr Dunne was given a numbered copy of the Kitteridge report” – which was going to be made public – “but not the classified appendices”.
In other words he didn’t have classified material. No, you know that. Why are you sitting here tonight saying that he did?
Peters: Because you haven’t asked any questions about what happened by way of conversation within five MPs, including the Prime Minister who sat on the Intelligence and Security committee, you don’t know that, and I don’t think Mr Henry bothered to ask as well which is why I raised questions about the way he was conducting this inquiry.
I’ve been on that committee, I know something about what I’m talking about and I know what international ramifications are, and I’m not going to stand by while cynical people who said from day one there was nothing in this, now repeat that he merely broke an embargo. I’m sorry, this is out number one security agency, it interrelates with international agencies and our respect and integrity is on the line, and it’s important.
He just couldn’t answer the question, so did the normal bluster.
Campbell: Ok, what evidence is that?
Peters: That’s the evidence that backs up what I’m saying, and every day it unfolds, you will find that out.
Campbell: What evidence is that?
Peters: Well it’s evidence of, ah, improperly liaison meetings with disclosure of secret, confidential, private information, not just in one area but in a number of areas.
Campbell: Do you have the emails?
Peters: I’ve told you from day one that I have the evidence sufficient to make allegations, both to you, inside parliament because you wouldn’t publish it otherwise, and outside parliament…
Campbell: Yes or no, do you have the emails?
Peters: Well of course I’ve got information I need to back up my…
Campbell: Yes or no, do you have the emails?
Peters: No no no, you’re not going to know, what I want you to tell me is why you aren’t asking the Prime Minister, Prime Minister, why can’t we see the information that you won’t show the public.
A nice calling of Peters’ bluff.