KEY POINTS:
Colin Withnall, QC, who stood down as David Bain's lead counsel in 2004 after seven years and a failed appeal to the New Zealand Court of Appeal in 2003, said from Christchurch last night:
"At last. It's absolutely the right decision ... It's been a very long time coming. I salute ... Joe Karam and Michael Reed and his team."
Mr Withnall said he kept himself "deliberately aloof" from Bain, but "I'm absolutely thrilled for David".
Bain's original defence lawyer, Michael Guest, now a Dunedin City councillor, said the decision was "fascinating". While he had not seen the judgment, there were "a lot of extra things raised" in the appeal.
"The interesting thing from a New Zealand law point of view is the Court of Appeal looked ... and said, 'No, we're absolutely convinced of his guilt'.
"This is at least the fifth time in the last five years the Privy Council has rubbished a decision of the New Zealand Court of Appeal."
Mr Guest said he dealt with the case "a long time ago" and he would have to think about the news before giving his personal thoughts.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis, who was the arresting officer in the case, said he was "stuck for words" after hearing the news.
"I couldn't tell you how I really feel. It wouldn't be professional."
As there could be a retrial, any further comments would be sub judice, so it would not be wise to say anything further, Mr Croudis said.
"I've just got a job to do."
