KEY POINTS:
National Party leader John Key yesterday shrugged off news his life had been threatened, saying he did not intend letting "one or two people who inhabit the fringes of New Zealand society" stop him from doing his job.
Yesterday, reports of police investigations into suspected terrorist activities revealed Mr Key was among politicians allegedly targeted for assassination.
Mr Key would not comment on whether he had been made aware of the threats, or if his personal security had been stepped up in response to them. He paused when asked his family's reaction to the reports, before repeating he could not comment on the issue.
In October, police carried out raids across the country, and arrested several people on charges under the Arms Act. Police also sought permission to prosecute 12 of the 16 people arrested under the Terrorism Suppression Act - an application Solicitor-General David Collins, QC, declined last week.
However, Dr Collins said police had acted entirely appropriately in bringing the evidence before him, and congratulated them on bringing to an end what he called "very disturbing activities" without any shots being fired.
Mr Key yesterday side-stepped whether he was concerned his life had apparently been in peril.
"The only person who knows all the information in those reports, so far as I'm aware, is the Solicitor-General. He made it clear that he finds them disturbing."
The diplomatic protection squad provides for the safety of leading politicians such as Mr Key and Prime Minister Helen Clark. National regularly discusses Mr Key's diary with the squad.
Yesterday, members of the Tuhoe iwi marched on Parliament, protesting against the way police raids had targeted their community. Ironically, in August Mr Key visited the Urewera and met prominent activist Tame Iti - one of the 16 people arrested during the October raids.
The Dominion Post yesterday published information from an affidavit police presented to Manukau District Court to gain search warrants. Dr Collins' refusal to let them lay charges under counter-terrorism laws effectively rendered that information inadmissible at any trial.
Early yesterday, Dr Collins said he was considering putting out a statement that would explain it was a criminal offence to use intercepted communications without authority. He later decided against making any further statement.
Prime Minister Helen Clark would not comment on police information relating to Mr Key and his security.
- Additional reporting: Claire Trevett
