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Exclusive Brethren troubleshooter Tony McCorkell has delayed his return to Australia after revelations that New Zealand police are investigating claims that a member of the secretive religious sect had sexually abused children.
The Brisbane businessman, sent by the church to distance it from political activities of some New Zealand members, said last night that he would stay in this country to deal with the latest controversy.
Tasman police commander Superintendent Grant O'Fee confirmed yesterday that the police were investigating complaints by four women that they were abused as children by a man in Nelson at various times from about 20 to 40 years ago.
The women were all former members of the Exclusive Brethren, he told the Weekend Herald.
Some of the accusations referred to alleged abuse when they were aged under 10.
Mr O'Fee said although the police were treating the complaints seriously, they had yet to interview the man, who another former church member told the Herald was now in his 70s.
Mr O'Fee said he was sure his officers would seek help from the church as their inquiry unfolded, but they had yet to do so, even though he was contacted yesterday by Mr McCorkell for confirmation they were investigating complaints by the women.
Mr McCorkell, who has been in New Zealand since Tuesday discussing the impact on the church of plans by some of its senior members here to campaign against the Government, denied the sex allegations were a primary reason for his visit.
He said the alleged offender remained a member of the church but held no position of seniority.
He said that the church would give every co-operation to the police, if asked, and that he had already spoken to the man.
"My understanding is that the relationship between the alleged victims and the alleged perpetrator was a family relationship ... nothing to do with the church.
"I think the myths surrounding the church are getting a little hysterical."
