Computer sleuths on job over leaks

National has called in forensic computer experts in a bid to find out who leaked private emails and faxes sent to leader Don Brash by Business Roundtable and Act Party officials.

Deputy leader Gerry Brownlee last night pointed the finger at Labour, saying he was certain the documents were in its hands.

The emails and faxes contained advice to Dr Brash before and after his successful leadership coup against Bill English.

Mr Brownlee cited the "series of coincidences" involving comments Education Minister Trevor Mallard made on TVOne's Agenda programme last month, when he said issues around National Party funding were a "developing story" and that there would be "more evidence".

He also cited the fact that Prime Minister Helen Clark had stepped up her references linking Dr Brash with Act luminaries Ruth Richardson and Sir Roger Douglas.
"There was a bit of a chill ring in it, I have to say," Mr Brownlee said.

Asked if he felt certain he could trust all those in his workplace at present, he said he believed the material was in the hands of Labour "and we're just going through the exercise of trying to find out how they got it".

The Sunday Star-Times, which published some of the leaked documents, said its source was inside National and was concerned that big business was having undue influence on the party.

Among the emails:

* Business Roundtable executive director Roger Kerr advised Dr Brash to drop Mr English's slogan of "One standard of citizenship" in favour of [Governor Hobson's] "We are one people". The leader used both phrases in the Orewa speech.

* Business Roundtable vice-chairwoman Diane Foreman wrote to Dr Brash offering to help his coup and advising him to tell MPs that the party's coffers would dry up if they did not back him.

* Sir Roger, Act's co-founder, sent Dr Brash advice on his coup and briefed him about political strategy on becoming leader, telling him to avoid getting painted "hard-right".

Dr Brash has said he takes advice from many quarters and that only National approves National policy.

Act MP Stephen Franks said his party backed Dr Brash's coup against Mr English, but he admitted it was a naive strategy.

Act had hoped the leadership change would mean its own policies would be adopted by National, but now found itself cut out of a centre-right coalition.

Mr Franks said on Newstalk ZB yesterday that Act saw the leadership change as a chance for National to "come to its senses", but did not realise how dramatic the shift in voter support from Act to National would be.

- additional reporting: NZPA