The Herald on Sunday apologises to Mr Anthony Solomona and retracts statements said to have been made by him in an article published on October 16, 2005.
Last week, the Herald on Sunday published two news reports based on a purported interview with former South Auckland police officer Anthony Solomona.
Mr Solomona's legal representative, John Haigh QC, wrote to this newspaper on October 17, saying Mr Solomona had not met anyone from the Herald on Sunday and that the statement that the interview had occurred was false.
The Herald on Sunday initiated an immediate investigation into the complaint. We regret to advise that Mr Haigh's advice is correct.
The reporter who wrote the articles, John Manukia, has confirmed that the interview did not take place. He neither met, nor spoke to, Mr Solomona. The quotes as attributed to Mr Solomona were fabricated as was the reported content of the purported interview.
The Herald on Sunday deeply regrets the incident and any embarrassment caused to Mr Solomona. We unreserv-edly apologise to him and his family.
* * *
John Manukia, who has a diploma in journalism from Manukau Polytechnic, has been a reporter since 1992. He has previously worked at the New Zealand Herald, Sunday News and Pacific Island radio station Radio 531. He had been employed at the Herald on Sunday since May 2005.
Mr Manukia was suspended from his work duties on October 19. Following a formal interview and disciplinary process, his contract was terminated on Friday, October 21.
Herald on Sunday editor ShayneCurrie said he was deeply disappointed about the incident, which was the first of its kind he had experienced in 17 years of newspaper journalism.
Currie said editorial staff acted ethically and responsibly and enormous trust was placed in them. "Like all professionally managed businesses, we invest in our staff and trust them. On this occasion, we were let down."
Editorial staff abide by the New Zealand Press Council's statement of principles, which embraces a commitment to accuracy. Currie said he had the utmost faith in his staff. "They have been let down terribly on this occasion, as have our readers."
* The two stories based on the purported interview were removed from nzherald.co.nz as soon as Mr Manukia's deception became apparent.
