Swiss inquiries for P.M. 'proper’

Press, 8 December 1976, Page 19

Swiss inquiries for P.M. 'proper’

Parliamentary reporter The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) has had advice from the Solicitor-General (Mr R. C. Savage) that it was entirely proper for Miss B. Granger of the New Zealand legation staff in Switzerland to make inquiries at the request of counsel in the case in which he is involved with H.A.R.T. and C.A.R.E. Mr Muldoon said he was represented both by his own counsel and by the Crown Law Office. He did not himself ask Miss Granger or the legation to make the inquiries, but assumed this had been done on his behalf. Told that an official of

one of the complainant organisations has said he would rather have it understood that they were proceeding against Mr Muldoon as a private individual rather than as Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon said, “They may wish what they like, but the law will take its course. “The words complained of were spoken here by me as Prime Minister, as I am speaking to you now.” He asked that no more questions be asked, as any further expression of opinion by him would be close to contempt of Court. “After all, this is the sort of thing that happened to Mr Rowling.”