Watch on Knapp’s access likely

Press, 9 November 1988, Page 2

Watch on Knapp’s access likely

PA Wellington The former Democrat member of Parliament, Mr Garry Knapp, is likely to have his access to the precincts of Parliament more tightly controlled as a result of his infiltration of the building to lead a protest last week, said the Speaker, Mr Kerry Burke. The measure is just one of the sanctions expected to be imposed on the group of 12 Democrats who barricaded themselves into a Parliamentary committee room and stayed more than two days and nights to. protest about the Government’s failure to hold a national referendum on proportional representation. Mr Burke said yester-

day he had already received one report on the security breach of Parliament and expected more. The report indicated the breach had been a “classic inside job,” Mr Burke said. His information showed that the group leader, Mr Knapp, with at least one other person, told a security guard they were going to the press gallery. Mr Burke said the guards recognised Mr Knapp and he was allowed in. But he did not go to the gallery, instead going to a door locked from the outside and used as an emergency exit. Mr Knapp and/or his colleague

opened the door and let in the rest of the group. Equipped with supplies, the 12 Democrats entered the building, ran to the second floor and barricaded themselves into a room. Mr Burke said there was no doubt Mr Knapp had used his inside knowledge to get the group into Parliament. Security could never be 100 per cent effective, Mr Burke said, and there was even less chance when it was an “inside job.” He said any sanctions the Government took against the Democrats would be separate from whether the police decided to lay charges. That was still being considered.