Oakley death threats alleged

Press, 16 July 1982, Page 4

Oakley death threats alleged

PA Auckland Death threats were issued yesterday to two prospective witnesses of malpractice at Oakley Hospital, an Auckland lawyer asserted last evening.

The lawyer, Mrs Lorraine Smith, said that a senior nurse on duty at the hospital was threatened at knifepoint early this morning by three persons. The nurse, Mr Francis Mardon, met senior Auckland Hospital Board officials yesterday, and later lodged a' complaint with the police. " Detective Superintendent ,P. M. Gentry confirmed that police inquiries would be made today.

Mrs Smith said Mr Mardon was shown three stainless steel knives and told that one was for each , of three witnesses she intended Calling at

the Committee of Inquiry into procedures at Oakley. One of the witnesses, a staff member, had now decided not to give evidence, she said. The other witness, Mr Michael Broadfoot, whose sworn statement prompted the Committee of inquiry, had also had telephoned death threats, she said. “It is so hard to believe this could happen in New Zealand,” Mrs Smith said. “This has shocked me. I am determined to stamp out these cowardly and despicable acts. The truth will come out.” Her two principal witnesses were now “trembling” about giving evidence before the committee. ; “They feel that unless they can tell what is going on in public it is not .worth the risk. They have' ‘just about

had it.” The Auckland Hospital Board’s chief executive, Mr L. H. Corkery, said, “We acted immediately when this came to our notice.” The board had taken “certain steps” and had given the staff member advice which he had taken.

The Minister of Health (Mr Malcolm) said that he had had a telegram from Mrs Smith about the threats, and advising that the., witnesses would not give evidence before a closed hearing. “I find that inconsistent,” said the Minister. “Surely if her witnesses are being threatened, things would be assisted by a private inquiry. . .

. “I am disappointed that before the inquiry Mrs Smith is taking a public stance of lack of confidence in the

committee.”v" Mrs Smith said last evening that she was relieved to hear that Mr Malcolm was not advocating a closed inquiry. “The only way we are going to succeed in this is to have it exposed in public. If people are going to be threatened in this fashion, it should be exposed,” she said.

The Auckland Council for Civil Liberties has also supported a public hearing. Individual privacy could be protected by suppressing evidence relating to specific patients, it said. The Auckland secretary of the Public Service Association, Mr Adrian Webster, said last evening that the alleged threat to Mr Mardon would be discussed at a meeting of Oakley staff today. k ”