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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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By Haydon Dewes Investigations into
allegations of rape against police has so far cost more than $3 million and
is set to be the most expensive inquiry ever, Parliament has been told. A police investigation
began last January after Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas alleged in The
Dominion Post that she was pack-raped and violated with a police baton by
three police officers in 1986, when she was 18. The men categorically deny
the allegations.A commission of inquiry was also launched by Prime Minister
Helen Clark to look at the wider issue of police misconduct. Justice Minister Phil
Goff, answering questions on behalf of Police Minister George Hawkins, told
the House the cost of the police investigation up to February 28 this year
was $1,603,645. The commission of
inquiry, which was on hold until the police investigation is completed, has
cost about $1.4 million. Act MP Muriel Newman
asked Mr Goff whether he was concerned the inquiry was set to be the most
expensive in history. "Yes, I regret
that this sort of money has to be expended but yes, I also believe that it is
necessary for the money to be expended," he said. Dr Newman questioned
the logic of setting up both inquiries at the same time, when it should have
been apparent both couldn't have progressed simultaneously. "You get the very
strong feeling the left didn't know what the right was doing." |
