Arthur Allan Thomas to government and police: 'I never got an apology'

Arthur Allan Thomas was given a royal pardon and $950,000 in compensation, but no apology. Photo/File

Arthur Allan Thomas has reacted to Parliament's apology to men convicted for homosexuality saying he has not received one sorry from police or the Crown since he was pardoned after being wrongfully jailed for double murder in the 1970s.

Justice Minister Amy Adams read the Government's emotional apology, that recognised the "tremendous hurt and suffering those men and their families have gone through", in Parliament this week.

While Thomas was granted a royal pardon and awarded $950,000 in compensation in 1979, after spending nine years behind bars, he has not received a formal apology.

"I said to my wife, hell that's funny I never got a bloody apology and I had my innocence proven," Thomas told the Weekend Herald.

The now 79 year old said he needed an apology from police and the government before he could get on with his life.

"I need to forget a few things, like what the [police] did to me, to try lead a good life. But it's always in the back of my mind what those buggers did to me," said Thomas.

Thomas was twice convicted of the murders of Jeanette and Harvey Crewe who were shot dead in their Waikato farmhouse in June 1970, and dumped in the Waikato River.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry found that a cartridge case - said to have come from a rifle belonging to Thomas - was planted at the scene by detectives.

When asked why he had not received an apology, Thomas said he thought the police did not "want to admit they fabricated the evidence".

"I was innocent, proven innocent and had a royal commission of inquiry. I was compensated but I never got an apology from the police or the Crown," said Thomas.

"I want to make sure that they talk about this, about my case, and what the hell is going on with our justice in New Zealand."

Thomas has not asked for a formal apology, saying it was something he expected without having to ask.

A police spokesperson said police reached out to Thomas after it released its review of the Crewe homicide investigation in July 2014.

They said "the door remained open" if Thomas wanted to raise any matters with police.

Thomas said he wanted an apology not only for himself but the many New Zealanders who supported him when he was wrongfully convicted.

Parliament's apology for historic homosexual convictions coincides with a law change to allow men with convictions to apply for a pardon or for families to apply on their behalf. The first reading of that bill was passed unanimously.

The Ministry of Justice Amy Adams did not respond to Weekend Herald request for comment in time for deadline.