Clark signals review of security watchdog role

By KEVIN TAYLOR political reporter

Prime Minister Helen Clark has hinted at changes to the office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security following Justice Laurie Greig's resignation from the position.

Justice Greig quit after the High Court ruled he had an "apparent bias" over his comments and actions relating to the case of Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui.

Justices Peter Salmon and Rhys Harrison said in the ruling issued on Wednesday that the Inspector-General should stand aside from the case, prompting the 75-year-old's resignation.

The judges expressed concern that he appeared to have become too close to the head of the SIS, Richard Woods.

There were calls yesterday for stronger rules to guarantee the independence of the office and prevent the Inspector-General cosying up to the security services.

The Prime Minister refused to speak to the Herald yesterday. Asked on National Radio if the way the office worked needed reviewing, she said: "I think we need to look at the whole process.

"In light of this experience, in light of the fact that there isn't a deputy who can immediately step in - that's something that could be looked at."

She also suggested the office's resourcing could be looked at. Helen Clark has already said that following the conclusion of the Zaoui case a review of how the law operated would be carried out.

The judges called into question Justice Greig's comments about refugees in an interview with the Listener, and his dealings with Mr Woods and prime ministerial press secretary David Lewis over a television report on a missing portion of an SIS interview with Mr Zaoui.


In the Listener interview Justice Greig volunteered the view: "We don't want lots of people coming in on false passports that they've thrown down the loo on the plane and saying 'I'm a refugee, keep me here'. And perhaps having some association elsewhere."

Helen Clark said yesterday that Justice Greig "shouldn't have been ringing my office", and she was concerned her staff member had been dragged into a court case because of that.

Defence and security writer Nicky Hager said Justice Greig had received no resourcing and had had no ability to scrutinise the security services "beyond what they wanted to tell him".

Strong watchdog powers were needed if one person or a small group was going to be entrusted with overseeing a "completely secret organisation".


A list of retired High Court judges who might be suitable for the role is being drawn up.

But Helen Clark expressed pessimism that many would be enthusiastic, saying: "Needless to say with this sort of scrutiny of the position, I'm not expecting a long queue of hopeful applicants."

Green MP Keith Locke supported a review of the Inspector-General's office but the party also wanted the whole security risk certificate procedure abandoned and a more public process implemented.


THE SPY WATCHER

Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security:

Appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's recommendation following consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.

The person must have previously been a High Court judge.

The Inspector-General is responsible for assisting the minister with the oversight and review of intelligence and security agencies.

The position is independent.

Herald Feature: Ahmed Zaoui, parliamentarian in prison

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