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Police have questioned a former long-term girlfriend of Tony Veitch about their relationship and last night she broke her silence to defend the shamed broadcaster.
Antoinette Attard, 32, believes officers contacted her over rumours that she and Veitch had a violent relationship, but she said the speculation was false.
Police also asked her about a verbal altercation she had with Kristin Dunne Powell at a bar in the Viaduct, in Auckland.
"Tony was never violent with me and I don't believe he ever would be," said Attard, who dated Veitch from 2002 until 2005, and now lives in Melbourne, where she works in recruitment. "We would argue every now and again but it was never to the point of being aggressive or angry. Nothing like that, no.
"This whole thing has blown me away, but I guess in a way it has given me a chance to set the record straight and talk about what sort of person Tony really is."
Attard's comments came as detectives widened their inquiry into the saga.
As well as speaking to Attard, police also visited the Herald on Sunday's offices this week and are expected to serve a search warrant on the newspaper within the next fortnight to obtain a copy of the transcript of Paul Holmes' exclusive interview with Veitch four weeks ago. They are also expected to seek a copy of a recording of the interview.
They believe the interview might cast more light on the alleged assault, although Veitch was careful to avoid any details of what happened between himself and Dunne Powell at his St Heliers house in January 2006.
Police have also spoken to Holmes, but not in a formal interview. They have yet to speak to Veitch.
Attard met Dunne Powell once, at a Viaduct bar in Auckland. Dunne Powell and Veitch were dating at the time, and Dunne Powell introduced herself to Attard.
Attard said she found the experience frosty. "I was very much like 'I'm glad you and Tony are together. I know that Tony and I have our own history, but we have a strong friendship, so I don't need to know you to have Tony in my life. If Tony and I want to be in each other's lives, we will choose to be'."
On Friday police asked her about the conversation.
Attard said the allegations, which surfaced publicly six weeks ago, had shocked her.
"I thought, this is not Tony... I thought this is so wrong and you know, I've never questioned in my mind, 'did he do this?"'
She said she thought if she ever met Dunne Powell again, "I would shake my head and walk away".
Dunne Powell couldn't be reached for comment yesterday, and a spokesman said she didn't want to speak.
Attard and Veitch met on a Contiki tour of the United States in 2001 and became friends. They started dating the following year.
"He's such a genuine guy, he's a lot of fun. We were able to talk about everything and anything. It was, and still is, one of those great friendships."
She has been in touch with Veitch in recent weeks.
"I think he's lost everything in his life right now. He's really hurt and pretty upset and he needs to take some time to sort things out. But he has a great support network of friends. He's a good guy."
Sources say police are looking into all the details surrounding the incident. Officers have refused to confirm any details of their investigation or whether they are considering charges other than assault. It is understood correspondence between Veitch and Dunne Powell following the incident also forms part of their inquiry.
Veitch has admitted to doing something "terrible" to Dunne Powell, and lashing out. It has been alleged that he kicked his ex-partner, breaking her back in four places.
The alleged assault was revealed six weeks ago, and since then Veitch has resigned from TVNZ, where he fronted One News sports, and The Radio Network, where he was breakfast host of Radio Sport. It has also been revealed that his broadcasting bosses became aware of the incident late last year, after Dunne Powell approached Veitch as she sought compensation.
Veitch eventually paid her more than $150,000.
One source said police, who were also being advised by the Crown Law Office, expected to lay charges within weeks, based on Dunne Powell's statement and what she told officers.
It is understood that police interviewed Dunne Powell after receiving her official statement. One source said she had also passed on the names of some of Veitch's ex-girlfriends.
The Weekend Herald reported yesterday that ACC had completed an internal investigation into the injury compensation claim Dunne Powell lodged after the alleged assault. No further action was necessary, the corporation said, as the claim had been accurate.
Herald on Sunday editor Shayne Currie said he had sought legal advice about the Holmes-Veitch interview transcript. The newspaper would abide by the law.
