Dominion Post
April 6, 2004

Legal aid ruled out for rape inquiry
by Gordon Jon Thompson

The Cabinet is looking at previous commissions of inquiry to see how best to help complainants in the investigation into police rape allegations.

The issue was discussed at yesterday's Cabinet meeting, with the Government under pressure to contribute to the women's legal costs. Officials are considering how much money may be needed and where it would come from.

Attorney-General Margaret Wilson said because the commission of inquiry was not a criminal trial, giving legal aid was not an option.

Instead, the Cabinet would look at how earlier commissions of inquiry, such as the one into the Cave Creek disaster, had helped complainants.

Other commissions of inquiry had appointed lawyers to help complainants.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the Cabinet thought it was "desirable" the women were assisted.

". . . We are currently considering what the best way of achieving that is. In principle it is important that people whose complaints have in effect sparked an inquiry are assisted with representation."

Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas sparked the commission of inquiry after alleging she was pack-raped by three police officers in 1986. The men have denied the allegations.

She has called for the Government to pay her legal fees, which have so far been met by The Dominion Post and Television New Zealand.

A lawyer has been acting for Mrs Nicholas while the police have interviewed her extensively. She will also need representation at the commission of inquiry.

The issue has been with the Government since early February.

Mrs Nicholas alleges she was pack-raped in 1986 by former officers Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton, and Clint Rickards, now an assistant commissioner. The men have said the sex was consensual and have denied rape.