Ex-MP tweets name of man with permanent name suppression

A former politician has tweeted the name of a man who admitted an indecent assault, but had his name permanently suppressed. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A complaint has been lodged with police against a former politician who tweeted the name of a prominent Otago man who has permanent name suppression.

The man's lawyer, Jonathan Eaton, QC, confirmed to the Otago Daily Times a "formal complaint was lodged with the NZ police last evening".

That complaint related to a tweet by a former politician who named the man on Twitter.

The Otago man escaped conviction and identification on an indecency charge, almost two and a-half years after the offence was committed, when he appeared in the Dunedin District Court earlier this year.

He was discharged without conviction, on payment of $6500 reparation to the complainant.

In August 2012 the man pleaded guilty to a charge of performing an indecent act on Central Otago woman Louise Hemsley, who won a legal battle to have her suppressed name lifted.

A police spokesman said they were aware of the suppression breach.

"Police are aware of the tweets and will assess what appropriate response may be be required," he said.