M.P. complains about 'clowns affair’

Press, 29 January 1982, Page 3

M.P. complains about 'clowns affair’

PA Wellington The Labour Minister of Parliament for Auckland Central (Mr R. W. Prebble) has protested to the Minister of. Police (Mr. Couch) over the delay in settling the “clowns affair.” Mr Prebble has written to Mr 1 Couch on behalf of one of the clowns, Jacques Munro, who is one of his constituents. Mr Munro is one of the three people who allege they were unjustly batoned by members of the Red Squad during a Springbok • tour demonstration in Auckland. At the time they were dressed as clowns. • “Mr Munro appears to have a valid reason for an-

noyance," Mr Prebble said. “He lodged a complaint some five months ago alleging that he had been brutally assaulted by a police officer and since has heard nothing officially, .: . ’ . “Instead, my constituent has been slandered by a series of people, including the Minister of Police, in the media,” Mr Prebble said. “This is an extraordinary matter. Regardless of the merits of the clowns’ complaints they should have been dealt with months ago. The delay is unfair to them, and to the police officers involved. ‘ _

“If the complaint is not valid, it should be dismissed. If my constituent has committed a criminal offence he

should be charged. If the complaint is valid the officers concerned should be reprimanded, and if they have committed a criminal offence they should be charged,” he said. The Chief Ombudsman (Mr G. R. Laking) said he had told the Police Commissioner (Mr R. J. Walton) that there were questions about the affair which needed early answers in the interests of both the public and the police.

Mr Laking made this observation when announcing that he did not yet have the power to investigate a complaint to him abbut the incident from members of the now disbanded Red Squad.