Inquiry begins into document leak

Press, 29 June 1981, Page 6

Inquiry begins into document leak

PA Auckland A top-level inquirv has begun into the leaking of a secret police document to the “Auckland Star." The leak is regarded as a significant breach of police security and is likely to lead to a review of procedures for the handling of classified material. Senior policemen say that any member of the force who would leak the documents. which give details of police plans to deal with terrorist incidents in New Zealand, is a traitor to his colleagues. The search for the source of the leak was ordered by the Commissioner of Police (Mr R. J. Walton) after the “Star" sought to verify the authenticity of the document with Police Headquarters in Wellington. After police confirmed its authenticity, the "Star” decided that publication would not be in the public interest and told Mr Walton of this decision. Mr Walton then appointed Detective Inspector lan Hastings, of the Auckland Fraud Squad, to head an investigation into the source of the leak. After several visits to the "Star," Mr Hastings and another detective served ' a search warrant on the newspaper’s editorial offices on Friday afternoon. The warrant, issued under the Official Secrets Act by

Judge J. R. Gilbert, of the Auckland District Court, was served on one of the newspaper's assistant editors,'Mr Chauncj’ Stark. The "Star” believes that the police want to find out if any other classified material has been leaked. The paper shown to the “Star" ■ was one of a numbered series intended to be distributed only to senior police personnel involved with the anti-terrorist squad. It was signed by Mr Walton. The copy shown to the "Star” had the number

erased. Before serving the search warrant, Mr Hastings visited the "Star” three times to interview staff. He was given a copy of notes taken from the classified document, which is designated “highly restricted,” the highest secrecy classification used by the police. To protect the reporter from the possibility of havingto disclose the sources of his information, the “Star” declined to hand over any material other than the notes unless a search warrant was obtained from the District

Court. On production of the search warrant, all relevant documentation was handed to Mr Hastings without the need for a search. The reporter involved, Mr Paul Smith, has declined to name the source of his information, in line with journalistic ethics.

Mr Walton told the “Star” from Wellington that whatever the motive for the leak if a member of the police were responsible he would regard such an action as being “highly disloyal and criminal.”

“I find it incomprehensible that any member of the police would be so disloyal as to disclose information of such a sensitive nature that it could possibly endanger his fellow police officers and other innocent persons,” he said.

"There is no room for such a person in our organisation.”

If the investigation revealed the identity of the person, “appropriate legal action” would be taken. Mr Walton confirmed that the document sighted by the “Star” was an official police document. It was classified in the public interest as “restricted,” and had been updated by another circular. “Nevertheless the document, dated February 12, 1979, remains the basis for police procedures for dealing with terrorism in New Zealand,” he said. '

He was relieved that the “Star” did not plan to. disclose it.

“To publish details of counter terrorist measures in full could expose police officers to a much greater risk." Mr Walton said. “It could also expose hostages and the public to dangers that otherwise would not exist.”