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Allegations
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Two women who prompted
the commission of inquiry into police conduct are now fighting to be heard by
it, after a ruling that they cannot give evidence. Louise Nicholas' and
Judith Garrett's allegations of rape by police in the 1980s led to the
commission being set up in February last year, days after The Dominion Post
reported Mrs Nicholas' allegations. The pair, who met for
the first time only recently, were shocked to learn their statements would
not be heard because their claims were being investigated by police. The commission's terms
have been whittled down after holdups of more than a year, mainly for fear
that hearings might contaminate simultaneous criminal proceedings. Commissioner Dame
Margaret Bazley announced last week that public hearings would be limited and
would not cover anything being investigated by the police, or where arrests
have been made. Mrs Nicholas said on
Close Up last night the decision not to be heard was "a kick in the
guts". "For the public looking in, this is like another cover-up. I
have been winded but by jingos I'm going to get back up again and I'm going
to fight it." She had tried to
express her concerns to Attorney-General Michael Cullen, but was told to talk
to the commission. A spokeswoman for Dr Cullen said last night the terms of
reference were recast to allow the commission to begin its work while the
court cases were proceeding. "I don't think the
Government would be wanting to do anything that would jeopardise that,"
she said. Mrs Nicholas said she
and Mrs Garrett were prepared to compromise and be heard in private, as long
as they were heard. She knew one woman who was told her evidence against the
police would be read. "How on earth can
you take off a piece of paper the emotions of what these women have gone
through? How can you feel what these women have gone through, see it and hear
it and live it with them? It's wrong, it's so wrong." Mrs Garrett told The
Dominion Post last night she and Mrs Nicholas had decided they were being
"shafted again" and had a duty to speak out. Though she welcomed any
criminal investigation, it would not stretch into alleged police cover-ups.
That needed to be uncovered, she said. "It's the cover-up (the police)
are worried about." |
