November 13, 2018
Bishop challenges on continuing Haumaha attack
A member of the police Māori advisory panel says National’s police spokesperson Chris Bishop owes deputy police commissioner Wally Haumaha an apology.
An independent inquiry found no factual basis to objections to Mr Haumaha’s appointment raised by survivors’ advocate Louise Nicholas, and no fault with the appointment process.
Neville Baker says Mr Haumaha’s ordeal was made worse by National attacking him to score political points, after praising his service while it was in Government.
"Politicians who hide behind the protection of parliamentary (privilege) can do huge damage to someone like Wally because he doesn't have the right of reply as a public servant. People like Chris Bishop actually owe him an apology and his family because it not only damages Wally but it damages his children, his grandchildren and the people of Te Arawa so I am very concerned about the way politicians attacked him and of course the inquiry said you didn't have the grounds to do that," he says.
Mr Baker says Mr Haumaha should now be allowed to do the job he was appointed to, as the best candidate available.
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