Newstalk ZB
February 2, 2004 13:20

PM consulting on pack rape claim inquiry

Helen Clark's office consulting to decide on best way to handle inquiry into claims top cop involved in pack rape

The Prime Minister says it is important that outside eyes look at accusations that police, including Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards, were involved in a pack rape 20 years ago.

A police investigation in the 1990s into the actions of three officers including Mr Rickards failed to prove the claims, but it is now alleged that investigation was flawed.

The complainant, Louise Nicholas, claims she was manipulated, in order to prevent her attackers from suffering any repercussions.

Helen Clark is asking her head of department, Dr Mark Prebble, to consult other officials on what form of inquiry should take place.

She says the public is looking for an assurance that there was a full and proper investigation into the allegations.

Miss Clark says there will certainly be a police internal investigation as well.

Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards has voluntarily taken three weeks' leave while police review an inquiry last decade that cleared him of the allegations.

The Police Commissioner, Rob Robinson, says he would welcome any independent inquiry into the rape allegation as the claims that have been made in the last few days of a cover-up suggest new matters that must now be taken forward.

He told Newstalk ZB the matter needs to be resolved in some final way if that is at all possible.

Police Minister George Hawkins insists that the Government will get to the bottom of the allegations, and he will be making sure the integrity of the Police is not called into question over the matter.

He says the Government will leave no stone unturned in resolving the matter.

Meanwhile it has emerged that a police insider sparked the story.

Dominion Post editor Tim Pankhurst says it was not the complainant who went to reporter Phillip Kitchin with the story.

He says it was actually the police themselves who said there were some serious issues they were concerned about.

Mr Pankhurst says Mr Kitchin has been working on the story for two years, but it was only recently that he managed to track down Louise Nicholas.