Immigration Scandal-Update Number 10

Colin Espiner blogged about the Thompson Affair yesterday. To Adam the key bit is here when he is commenting on the Department of Labour and Immigration Service behaviours when the matter first arose:-

The story was big enough for then Immigration Minister David Cunliffe to be informed, and for an inquiry to be launched.

That the whole thing was then swept under the carpet was a disgrace, and a sham for which the government must take some responsibility. Hiding behind ”privacy” arguments and the provisions of State Sector Act which forbid ministers interfering in employment matters is pretty farcical. It’s never stopped them before, either.

At the very least the government could have demanded that the inquiry into Thompson’s actions be made public, or threaten to make it public themselves if the Labour Department refused to. Instead it has sat by and watched as the department fought tooth and nail to avoid the Official Information Act requests made by media trying to get to the bottom of the story.

Even yesterday, Cunliffe was trying to wriggle out of admitting to reporters just how long he had known about the cloud over Thompson’s employment. He was then undone in Parliament by Acting Prime Minister Michael Cullen, who admitted the Cunliffe had known since April last year.

The current minister, Clayton Cosgrove, meanwhile claims he only found out about it in December when he was briefed by officials. It’s amazing that his close friend and colleague David Cunliffe had never mentioned it.

This wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t involve a department with a history of obfuscation bordering on outright dishonesty. Immigration has a record of blocking media requests for information. In 2003 its then communications manager Ian Smith made his infamous “lie in unison” comment.

Smith who wrote on an official document that he was badly let down by his colleagues because “everyone had agreed to lie in unison but all the others caved in and I was the only one left singing the original song”.

This is as Espiner notes a department and service with an appalling record of obfuscation and deceit.

One is left wondering what they have to hide.

Politically this does not look good either.

Cunliffe knew last April, so when did Clark and Cullen know and just what did they know?

If Cunliffe knew, Adam thinks Cosgrove knew also.

The politicians have been trying to keep this quiet, else why did they not bring it into the open sooner.

• What skeletons are waiting to be dug up?
• What is yet to emerge into the light of day from the twilight zone that is the Immigration Service?

Colin Espiner’s comments reinforce the need for a full scale judicial inquiry.

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Other posts by Adam on this matter

Immigration Scandal

Update 1

Update 2

Update 3

Update 4

Update 5

Update 6 (essentially a note of an event – not a detailed comment)

Update 7

Update 8 – similar to Number 6

Update 9

Update 11

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Update 15 – Significant New Questions

Update 16 – New Inquiry Announced