KEY POINTS:
The Ministry for the Environment has had to apologise yet again for mishandling matters - this time over whistleblower Erin Leigh.
Ministry chief executive Hugh Logan had to apologise for the Madeleine Setchell affair, when Ms Setchell lost her senior communications role at the ministry because of her partner's job as National leader John Key's chief press secretary.
Then, Mr Logan had to apologise to Environment Minister Trevor Mallard for giving him incorrect information, which he then relayed to Parliament.
Mr Logan today apologised for the third time - again for providing poor information to Mr Mallard.
On the basis of that information, Mr Mallard went to Parliament and told MPs that Ms Leigh had "repeated competence issues".
Ms Leigh quit her job in the ministry's communications department last year after Labour Party activist Clare Curran was appointed.
Ms Leigh said she left because Climate Change Minister David Parker had wanted Ms Curran to look after his personal agenda.
Ms Leigh blew the whistle and the scandal escalated when Mr Mallard told Parliament she had "repeated competence issues" which Ms Curran was hired to fix during a two-month contract.
Mr Logan said the ministry had been asked two weeks ago to provide the minister with information about Ms Leigh's work and her departure.
Mr Logan said today he had not intended it to reflect on Ms Leigh's professional ability or her performance.
He said her contract had been renewed three times.
"Ms Leigh had completed a number of projects under the four contracts. Her media work was professional and of good quality, especially work that she did in respect of the Waitaki Water Allocation Board of Inquiry."
Mr Logan apologised "personally and on behalf of the Ministry" for the public attention his briefing had generated.
- NZPA
