Bureaucrats told to keep quiet about leak

The State Services Commissioner has reminded Public Service chief executives that their departments are banned from discussing the Cabinet paper leaked to Telecom with journalists.
Commissioner Mark Prebble this week emailed all chief executives, saying it had come to his attention that "some journalists have been approaching Government departments and asking for comment on the extent of the department's involvement in this matter".

"In order that this inquiry is conducted in a fair and impartial manner, I would like to emphasise the importance of you or your staff not discussing any aspects of this matter with the media."

The initial response to any media inquiry should be that the State Services Commission was conducting the inquiry and any questions should be referred to it, the email said.

Auckland lawyer Peter Kiely, meanwhile, yesterday refused to confirm or deny rumours he was representing the person responsible for the leak.

"I professionally cannot confirm who I may or may not be acting for ... I'm not prepared to make any comment whatsoever."