King's men block photographer

Tongan King Taufa'ahau Tupou leaving home yesterday for hospital. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Security staff tried to block a Herald photographer from following the King of Tonga's motorcade.

The King was travelling from his Epsom house to a hospital on Gillies Ave yesterday when a cream-coloured SUV prevented photographer Glenn Jeffrey from following the convoy.

The vehicle deliberately slowed down and was weaving between lanes to prevent passing.

At one point, the SUV stopped suddenly, causing the cars to collide bumper to bumper, though no visible mark was left on either vehicle.

When the Herald arrived at the hospital, the King's security officers formed a cordon on the driveway to block Jeffrey photographing the King.

The driver of the SUV also started shouting "You crashed into my car".

Jeffrey said the accident was caused by the SUV driver's actions.

After a discussion between the King's personal protection squad and members of the New Zealand Diplomatic Protection Squad, the driver said he was only doing his job.

He had been driving "tactically".