GCSB investigates itself

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GCSB investigates itself

3News NZ

Shearer and Key

Shearer and Key

The Government's spies are snooping on each other as the GCSB tries to find out who talked to the Labour Party.

They're not sure anyone did, but party leader David Shearer says "sources" within the Government Communications Security Bureau have told the party Prime Minister John Key's visit to the agency's headquarters in February was recorded.

Mr Shearer says the recording - if it exists - might prove Mr Key talked to staff about Kim Dotcom.

Mr Key has told Parliament he first knew of the GCSB's involvement with the internet tycoon on September 17, when the agency's chief executive Ian Fletcher told him Dotcom had been under surveillance which was later discovered to have been illegal.

Mr Fletcher said late on Thursday night "exhaustive inquiries" hadn't turned up any audio-visual recording of Mr Key's visit.

"An investigation has commenced within GCSB as to whether there has been any unauthorised disclosure of information, and if so, its source," he said.

Mr Key says he remembers talking to staff but doesn't think he mentioned Dotcom.

Mr Shearer's version of events is that Mr Key visited the GCSB on February 29 and after being briefed on its activities spoke to staff in the cafeteria.

"It (a recording) may show John Key referring to Kim Dotcom," Mr Shearer said.

"There is one way to clear this up - the prime minister should give the green light to the agency to release any and all unclassified material about the visit and John Key's comments to staff."

He told Firstline this morning "multiple sources" within the organisation had told him about the tape, and that a number of staff had it on their computers – but other staff within the GCSB wiped them.

Mr Key has told media he doesn't think there was an "official" recording of his visit, but it's possible a staff member might have one.

He says he doesn't have a problem with it being released, if it exists.

Opposition parties are calling for a commission of inquiry into the Government's involvement in the Dotcom case.

The United States is trying to extradite Dotcom so he can face copyright charges over his filesharing Megaupload website.

NZN / 3 News

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Comments

15/10/2012 5:47:13 p.m.

dennis wrote:

This is odd. How is it that the former chief executive of the UK Intellectual Property Office arrives just in time to "accidentally" spy on Megaupload Limited for the U.S. of America, installed as the Prime Minister's head spy at the New Zealand Government's communications security service? These "accidents" such as omitting to tell Dotcom's lawyer they wanted to take all Megaupload Limited's property are fictional, for God's sake. When does someone get held to account and restrained from having all these "accidents"??????

13/10/2012 11:44:45 p.m.

dennis wrote:

Ian joined the UK Civil Service in 1989 after an earlier career in the New Zealand diplomatic service. He worked initially in the (then) Monopolies & Mergers Commission, until 1991. Ian then worked in Trade Policy at the end of the GATT Uruguay Round, and continued this work during a secondment with European Commission, negotiating in the World Trade Organisation on Free Trade Agreements. Ian returned to the UK in 1998 and, after working in DTI’s HR area, Ian joined the then Overseas Trade Services organisation at the time the Wilson Review of Export Promotion was being finalised and British Trade International was being established, working on finance HR and corporate policy issues. In 2000, Ian undertook a secondment with the UN Administration in Kosovo as Head of the Customs Service and Department of Trade & Industry. He returned later that year to head DTI’s Directorate responsible for electricity and gas policy. During 2002, Ian moved to the Cabinet Office as Principal Private Secretary to Sir Andrew Turnbull, the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service. Since 2004, Ian has been Managing Director, International in UKTI, managing the UK’s foreign commercial service. On 2 April 2007 The Patent Office will change its name to UK Intellectual Property Office to better reflect the wide range of Intellectual property services it offers. The Patent Office is an Executive Agency of DTI within OSI and responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patent, designs, trade marks and copyright

13/10/2012 5:50:15 p.m.

eddie wrote:

Ohhh my!...a lose/lose conspricy theory it must end up ultimately Labour 'winning'?

A: the recording/tape is never produced
B: the spies/agency deleted/desroyed it
C: the PM ordered it destroyed, if it existed

Question...if you make a statement, and an accusation , who is the burdoun of proof on?...shearer(labour) is in a hole here, lol...as an abstract from Goff being whipped (show me the money), Shearer is now being asked 'Put up or shut up'....I think SHUT UP!

13/10/2012 2:03:03 p.m.

Kim wrote:

Given that the GCSB is not allowed to spy on NZ residents...isn't it illegal for them to investigate themselves?..Just askin?....

13/10/2012 12:49:36 p.m.

Seannachie wrote:

If there is nothing to hide either in respect to the PM or the GCSB then what is this investigation about, a hidden tape a suppressed tape or What?

12/10/2012 9:57:38 p.m.

Kathy wrote:

David, the likelyhood is that the minister in charge of the GCSB issued an ultimatum stating that the recording should be "lost" or unfindable or there would be new job vacancies at the GCSB. Lets face reality, they are a spy agency. There will be cameras in every room of that building recording night and day. To say that there is no recording is totally unbelievable.

12/10/2012 9:49:12 p.m.

Gary wrote:

I do not need to see any tape as anyone with an once of intelligence knows who is lying:? All this political wrestling is just to gain an extra point or two with the ignorant or un educated public! JK MUST go for the sake of NZ he is the worst PM this country has ever had the sad misfortune to have witnessed. GET HIM OUT & SAVE NZ.

12/10/2012 8:15:50 p.m.

alison wrote:

Imagine if all the people decided to investigate themselves on crimes. Great precedent our leader is setting dont you think?

12/10/2012 7:14:06 p.m.

Just Me wrote:

The GCSB will conduct an 'investigation' on itself? Yeah right.Will John Key refuse to read the report once the 'investigation' is complete as it might well drag his mate Banksie into it? The only faith John Key has about John Key is John Key.No-one else in NZ,unless they are avid National Party supporters,has any respect for the guy.JK has lost all credibility.He should really do the decent and admirable thing by standing down as PM. But wait.He currently enjoys a wonderful taxpayer funded pay packet plus perks.One(when PM)doesn't want to lose that money making racket.

12/10/2012 5:33:43 p.m.

Brent wrote:

I'm a bit lost here, John Keys has said to make the tape public today, And Shearer needs to apologize, so lets see the tape!