Government may backtrack on residency for prisoner

Stuff reports:

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway will review the case of a drug smuggler who was granted residency while serving jail time after “new information”.

Karel Sroubkek had been handed an unprecedented get-out-of-jail card in getting residency, instead of being deported after serving his prison sentence.

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway made the special decision, even though the 37-year-old Czech national came to New Zealand on a false passport and is now serving time in Auckland South prison for importing drugs with a street value of $375,000. …

However, Newstalk ZB reported that Sroubek’s had already been back to the Czech Republic – which would mean his claim he’d be hunted down if he returned to his home country doesn’t ring true.

On Wednesday, Lees-Galloway told Parliament that shortly before he arrived at Question Time he had become aware that “information may exist that appears on the face of it to directly contradict information that I used and relied upon to make that decision.

“I am now taking advice on my options and need to consider the veracity or the new information that has been made available to me.”

So the Minister didn’t even try to verify the claims of the convicted criminal. He just believed him despite the Parole Board just weeks ago saying he was a liar.

The PM and Deputy PM both backed him, and said it was the right call.

They have the entire Government behind them and they never thought to verify his claims. Instead it took the media to do it.

Muppets!

Whoops missed this gem:

Lees-Galloway tried to avoid reporters on the way into House on Wednesday by hiding behind a pillar for several minutes before telling them he was late to Question Time and would not talk to them till after.

A Minister of the Crown hid behind a pillar for several minutes to try and avoid the media! What a clown.