Police target media in teapot tape scandal

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Police target media in teapot tape scandal

3News NZ

The Herald on Sunday has insisted the recording, by freelance cameraman Bradley Ambrose, was made accidentally

The Herald on Sunday has insisted the recording, by freelance cameraman Bradley Ambrose, was made accidentally

By 3news.co.nz staff

Police investigating the teapot tape controversy have demanded Radio New Zealand hand over "unpublished news material".

"Officers working on the case have contacted Radio New Zealand wanting unpublished material relating to interviews it conducted with the cameraman who made the recording which he gave to a Sunday newspaper," Radio NZ reports.

"Radio New Zealand's head of news, Don Rood, has refused to hand over any material gathered by news staff and says the news organisation will always protect its sources."

A search warrant is expected to be executed today or tomorrow. It has been reported that three other media outlets are also going to be searched, but police wouldn't say which. 3 News has not yet been issued a search warrant.

The Herald on Sunday has insisted the recording, by freelance cameraman Bradley Ambrose, was made accidentally. 3 News also has a copy of the recording, but neither organisation has released it yet, fearing prosecution and fines.

Editor of the HoS Bryce Johns says they are yet to hear from the police.

"We will have our say on Sunday," says Mr Johns. "It is too major an issue to avoid."

Radio NZ insists it doesn't have a copy of the recording, made last week at Prime Minister John Key's cup of tea with ACT's John Banks, a photo-op that appears to have turned sour.

Labour leader Phil Goff says it appears Mr Key is trying to gag the media.

''It's got out of control, it's bizarre. The Prime Minister should put an end to it by just coming clean now, being upfront, being honest.

''It's going to ridiculous lengths. It has been blown out of all proportion.''

Mr Key has refused to comment on the matter. When asked if he was "at war" with the media, he said: "I don't think that is an accurate description."

When asked if the tape contains discussion of him getting "unbridled power"," Mr Key declined to comment.

When asked if the investigation was good use of police resources, Mr Key said police have "spare time" because National has lowered the crime rate over the last three years.

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Comments

17/11/2011 8:08:15 p.m.

harriaway wrote:

key made the comment in parliment that if labour was voted back newzealands credit rating would be down graded that was hushed now this saga . At least kiwis we now know . his word is not good enough to be printed on soiled toilet paper

17/11/2011 7:57:38 p.m.

CecilySees wrote:

I would love to hear Mr Key discuss his policy. What is stopping you?

17/11/2011 7:52:12 p.m.

The NZ Orator wrote:

section 216B of the Crimes Act 1961 is ammended to 2011 in which various changes are made, and proposed, if not yet activated amendments are advised. No where in any of these does it say that accidental recording is included. The basis of all criminal law is intent, and proof of intent is required for any form of conviction for any kind of criminal act. Since it is supposed that this recording was made in error, it comes down to the proof generated, either way, that this recording was made deliberately. It's then fair to suppose that section 216B of the Crimes Act 1961 does not support conviction in the case of an accidental invasion of privacy. The issue here is why the leader of a country will go to such doomed lengths to suppress a possibly irrelevant conversation in the first place. If you walk in on your sister in the shower, holding a camera capable cellphone, are you then guilty of criminal invasion of privacy under the section 216B of the Crimes Act 1961 when you hurriedly retreat from the bathroom, dropping your phone in the sink! A free media sustains a free democracy. Any alternative is unthinkable.

17/11/2011 6:04:12 p.m.

Brett wrote:

So the police have spare time now? Well why have the Police still not got back to me over a home invasion when I was bashed with an iron bar a few years and all my car windows were broken a couple of years ago even though I gave them the name and address of the offender.
I guess the Police are John Keys private police force or some of the animals are more equal than some of the others (1984)

17/11/2011 5:42:34 p.m.

Keith wrote:

Key says the police have spare time. What an arrogant little tosser. Police beware this clown will be saying next that if the police have spare time we could probably make a few redundant. The show pony who appears at every photo opportunity stuffed this one up. In the words of bob dylan, Vanity got the best of him. Like most people say why would you invite the media to the tea party if you are going to be discussing private matters. Go figure

17/11/2011 5:35:51 p.m.

CecilySees wrote:

Well what a farce, now Mr Plod (a public servant) is being brought in to keep the lid on the indiscretions of another rich and influential public servant.

For heaven's sake, what a laughing stock. Mr Key is acting like a sulky kid, just man up and let us know what was in the tape.

As for TV3 - please, it's in the public interest, act now and release the tape! Don't be intimidated by these incompetent bullies.

17/11/2011 5:34:02 p.m.

Fellowes wrote:

This is the same John Key who rammed through new surveillance measures that gives the police the right to enter any NZers home and tape their conversation. And yet he is furious and petulant when someone legitimately attempts to record to his own conversation. Why is that? Because it shows that privately he is rude and treacherous. Not really a smiley guy at all, that's just a front for something much more sinister.

17/11/2011 5:16:09 p.m.

Non Orator wrote:

Orator you are somewhat misleading. The recording of criminals (not general public) has to be authorised by a judge who listens to the reasons behind the application (and they have to be substancial and substantiated) and then the recordings can be made as evidence in criminal proceedings. It is still against various laws to obtain private conversations by stealth and release them to the media and I dare say you have had conversations in private that you would not wish everyone to know. Having said that there appears to be little to be ashamed of in his private conversation and he is sticking up for the principle involved. Everyone else is going nuts over it and I guess it has taken attention away from mundane matters like policy.The Police will investigate the situation and decide on the rights and wrongs of the situation.

17/11/2011 4:50:51 p.m.

Ned wrote:

Nobody under 14 cant be charged for posting tape on youtube.... upppssss Just a theory LOL

17/11/2011 4:06:27 p.m.

The NZ Orator wrote:

Wake up all of you! Firstly - it will be revealed in the fullness of time that in fact, recording someone without their knowledge is not illegal assuming it is not an illegal topic such as that of a sexual nature or similar and particularly, is not video of the same. Secondly, John Key(and his fellow Nats) has extremely recently, passed under urgency, laws permitting the recording of private citizens under stealth, by the police. Now, he is attempting to use those same police to silence the media. Looks like he's a victim of his own making to me. Thirdly, Since we all essentially know the content of the "Cup of Tea" discussion, be it a semi vague form and without context, and who recorded it, why would the leader of a democratic country be using his police to silence their "free press?!" I noticed, in Winston Peters announcement of his knowledge of the content of the recording this afternoon, containing a reference to the leader of this supposedly democratic country using the phrase "Unbridled Power".........