Former MP yet to delete online alleged suppression breach

Photo / File

A former National MP accused of breaching a high-profile name suppression order online says he will delete the offending online post - "if I can find it".

The man appeared in Waitakere District Court today, two weeks after being charged, and asked for further time to instruct legal counsel.

But Judge John Bergseng said he had had ample opportunity and entered a not guilty plea.

It is alleged the former MP breached a suppression order in a social media post last month regarding the case of a well-known New Zealander who admitted to performing an indecent act after an incident in 2011.

NZME. News Service has chosen not to name the former MP because to do so may identify the well-known New Zealander.

Outside court the former MP said he was disappointed police prosecutors had not called him since his first appearance at the start of the month, as they had promised.

He confirmed he had not deleted the post but would do so if he could dig it out.

"It's cool. If I get done for it, I expect the same treatment as the so-called victim," he said.

Though he was quick to deny his actions were "a crusade", he believed suppression laws should be reviewed.

"If you want change, you have to do whatever for little incremental changes."

The man said that since he had been charged, the victim in the original case had emailed him in support of his actions.

"We've got this view that the victim doesn't count and quite frankly I think we need to do a bit more to ensure the victim in any crime, big or small, is the focus of the justice system," he said.

The former politician was still unsure whether he would defend the charge.

A warrant to arrest was issued by Christchurch District Court last week after a woman living in Australia allegedly breached the same suppression order.

The maximum penalties for breaching this type of court order are six months imprisonment or $100,000 fine for a body corporate.