New Zealand's "Sex in the City" Scandal

pn494

I'm uncertain how best to deal with  Labour's "sex scandal." Ignore it and keep my thoughts to myself, or publish and  help keep the story alive. It should probably be left sleeping until the QC report is in.

The state of play at the moment is that lawyers for both the complainant and Simon Michell of Labour's NZ Council have sent letters to the other,  with the alleged victim maintaining her story, and Mitchell —who has had his computer forensically examined— denying her emails made any mention of sex. 

The only new move from Labour is that Jacinda Ardern admits the Party handled the situation badly and has announced a separate enquiry from that to be conducted by the QC. One heading read, 'We failed' - Ardern announces separate inquiry into whether Labour acted appropriately after complaint against staffer. This will bre covered in the next posting pn 495



She is also concerned that similar allegations can happen to others. 'It can happen anywhere' - Jacinda Ardern vows to take wider look at justice in wake of sex assault allegations.

 I thought the journalists writing these accounts fair and balanced.

But, of course,  nothing that Jacinda says will satisfy Paula Bennett and the National Party. Keeping the story alive should improve their chances in next year's elections. Nor will it satisfy the likes of Mike Hosking and the blogger who has replaced the bankrupt WhaleOil. Balance is the last thing they admire. Or those journalists, with no particular political agenda, whose employment prospers on titillating rumour, speculation and character assassination.There is a nasty streak in most us which likes to see someone cut down tall poppies.

 -- ACW

 Timeline (to September 10th) from Newshub

• August 2018: Labour Party president Nigel Haworth informed the staffer told a woman she was elected within the party because she "would be nice to sleep with".
• 9 March, 2019: Complainants are interviewed by a panel
• 21 May, 2019: Investigation wrapped up
• June, 2019: Complainants told of the outcome
• 5 July, 2019: Labour party president emailed complainants to say no action would be taken
• 5 August, 2019: Newshub breaks the story of investigation into bullying and sexual assault allegations against staffer
• August 8, 2019: National's Paula Bennett claims to have been contacted by a victim 
• August 08, 2019: PM said she was advised none of the people who made a complaint to Labour about a party member currently work in any part of Parliament
• August 10, 2019: Decision taken by Labour to appoint a QC 
• September 09, 2019: Labour staffer details alleged sexual assault by senior staffer 
• September 09, 2019: PM says she is "deeply disappointed" in the party's handling of allegations and wasn't aware they were sexual in nature
• September 10, 2019: Labour president Nigel Haworth says sexual assault allegations were not brought to Labour Party investigation