Matthews rejects 'conspiracy'

Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews will not rule out taking a constructive dismissal case should he lose his job.

Mr Matthews yesterday told MPs he did not believe there was a conspiracy against him and that he could work with his minister, Judith Collins.

Mr Matthews' job has been in question since Ms Collins pointedly refused to express confidence in him following the release of a damning report into the way his department handled paroles. A report Ms Collins ordered from State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie on who is accountable for the failures is due tomorrow.

Mr Matthews was appearing before Parliament's law and order select committee where Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove pushed Mr Matthews on whether he would pursue a constructive dismissal employment case based on Ms Collins' actions if things went badly for him.

Mr Matthews refused to rule it out, and said: "I haven't come to any view on that."

Mr Cosgrove said Mr Matthews and Ms Collins had a "toxic relationship".

Pressed about Ms Collins' refusal to express confidence, Mr Matthews said he believed he had a good working relationship with her.

"I don't believe anybody in Parliament is trying to prejudice my position, they obviously want accountability. I don't have any belief that there's any conspiracy against Barry Matthews personally, I think people know this is a damn hard job and I am trying to do the best I can," Mr Matthews said.

"Do I have confidence in the State Services Commissioner to deliver a fair report? Yes I do."

Auditor-General Kevin Brady's report looked at 100 parole cases, including 52 high-risk offenders and found that in most cases correct procedures were not followed.

- NZPA, staff reporter