Defiance from defence head

The country's top military man Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson is rejecting calls from the Opposition for him to resign over an Employment Court ruling.

Army Museum archivist Dolores Ho was awarded $25,000 in the ruling, despite most of her case claiming unfair treatment being dismissed by Chief Judge Tom Goddard.

Two witnesses for Ms Ho - Defence Chaplain Julian Wagg and museum curator Windsor Jones - were sent intimidating letters by Air Marshal Ferguson and Waiouru army commander Kevin Burnett.

Judge Goddard said this action, which threatened a disciplinary investigation into their loyalty, was particularly serious.

John Carter, National's defence spokesman, said Air Marshal Ferguson, the Chief of Defence Force, was not fit to lead the country's military services.

Air Marshal Ferguson, leading a delegation of war veterans to Gallipoli to commemorate the battle's 90th anniversary, said Mr Carter was entitled to his view but knew nothing about the Employment Court ruling.

"I have got no reason to think about resigning at all. I have served 35 years in the Air Force and armed services. I believe my integrity is 100 per cent," he said yesterday.

Air Marshal Ferguson said the finding was to be appealed.

"I know from what I did I am having no sleepless nights."

Air Marshal Ferguson said Mr Carter's comments were political.

'That's exactly what it is. I don't get into the politics of it," he said.

Ms Ho, who had worked at the museum since 1993, claimed a total of $240,000 damages. Her complaints - which stemmed from disciplinary actions taken against her - included failure to provide training as promised, breach of confidentiality over the resolution of an earlier dispute, humiliation, loss of dignity, injury to feelings and witness intimidation.

Judge Goddard said Ms Ho was entitled to remedies for insensitive handling of the confidentiality of a 2002 mediation settlement. The impact of that was short-lived and justice would be done by a moderate award of $5000.

For the intimidation of witnesses he awarded her $20,000 and ordered Defence to meet all her legal costs even though it was successful on most of the case.

Judge Goddard ruled out a claim for exemplary damages, saying the amount awarded was sufficient to punish the Chief of Defence Force and deter other similar conduct.

 

- NZPA