Cup scandal bouncer charged

This footage of Mike Tindall with the mystery blonde was leaked by Jonathan Dixon who has since been dismissed from his security job. Photo / Supplied

A nightclub bouncer who launched a royal storm of headlines around English captain Mike Tindall and his new wife Zara Phillips was charged by police last night for his role in releasing camera footage of the player cavorting with a blonde woman.

The security firm has sacked Jonathan Dixon despite his mother speaking out about his strong views against infidelity.

Police yesterday said they were investigating allegations made by the manager of Altitude Bar and late last night said a man had been charged with accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes. A spokeswoman said: "Police confirm that they have received a complaint from the manager of Queenstown's Altitude Bar in relation to unauthorised accessing of CCTV security footage."

About 6pm last night a man believed to be Dixon appeared at the Queenstown station. He left after 45 minutes.

"We can confirm that a man was spoken to in relation to a complaint about security footage made by the manager of a local bar. He came to the police station on a voluntary basis," spokesman said.

Dixon's mother last night told the Herald on Sunday her son had always had strong views against infidelity.

Spartar senior security guard Dixon uploaded footage from inside the bar which showed Tindall holding hands and being kissed by a woman.

The video came a day after British tabloid The Sun claimed the husband of Zara Phillips was caught with his face buried in a woman's chest in the bar.

Joyce Dixon said she raised her son to respect women.

"His morals are a lot higher than those kind of people when it comes to infidelity," Dixon said.

She suspected Tindall's flirtatious behaviour was the result of too much alcohol. "You expect them to have a little bit more respect for themselves, don't you? I think it's sad for her being on the other side of the world, men are men and they're pretty fickle, aren't they?"

When asked if she supported her son uploading the video she ended the interview.

"I'm not saying anything ... he's a man, he has his own views and he's entitled to that and I respect that. I am his mum, I love my son."

Dixon's former boss said he had no hesitation in firing Dixon because he "f***ed up big time".

Josh Seymour, owner of Queenstown-based Spartar Security, said he sacked Dixon by phone from Australia. Seymour, 32, was on a trip to the Gold Coast when he heard the news about Dixon.

"I'm still not totally aware of all the aspects because I haven't been in town for a couple of weeks. But the fact is I had to let Jonathan go because he's done something on his own accord.

"He has pretty much crossed the line."

Security boss Seymour - who is also listed as a part-time television extra on Queenstown-based agency Ican Models & Talent - said he contacted Dixon on Friday to tell him he was being dismissed.

"I said 'Look mate, you f***ed up big time and we can't have you' and he just said to me 'Yep, yep, yep' and told me that he totally understands."

Seymour said he would return to Queenstown tomorrow.

"I will be meeting with Jonathan to tell him in person that he isn't working for Spartar any more..."

Seymour added: "When we supply security to bars obviously we want people turning up and feeling safe that they can enjoy themselves and I will also be seeing the rest of our Queenstown clients to assure them this won't happen again."

At Altitude Bar, general manager Blair Impey was denying the CCTV footage was released as a publicity stunt.

"Do people really think we would present it like that? Why would we, a commercial organisation, use him to present it, it's ridiculous," Impey said.

"The English were in our bar having a great time, then this taint gets put on it and brushed in a certain way to make us look really bad ... but we took every step to try and stop it; we are really upset."

Impey spent hours trying to prevent the footage appearing on YouTube but claimed Dixon refused to return the video.

Impey gave a statement to police claiming Dixon stole the footage by downloading it on to a USB stick before giving it to news agency Splash.

After seeking legal advice Impey issued both Dixon and Splash a warning letter to not publish the footage.

Altitude Bar suspended Spartar Security from guarding their doors.

The day after the England team visited the bar, Dixon posted a comment on his Facebook page suggesting he had something to thwart the team's prospects at the Rugby World Cup.

After a friend jokingly suggested Dixon should break a player's leg, Dixon replied, "Oh me and Mr Barnes will do so much better than that bro".

Four days after posting the comment, Dixon uploaded the video to YouTube.