MP threatens to name TVNZ star facing sex charges

ACT MP Stephen Franks is threatening to name a Television New Zealand star, saying the state broadcaster wants name suppression while the person faces serious violent sex charges in order to protect its profit levels.

Yesterday Mr Franks claimed in Parliament that TVNZ had "colluded" to protect the name of one of its stars until their programme stopped screening.

TVNZ strongly denied the allegations, saying it had not supported any attempts for suppression orders in any court case involving any of its presenters.

Mr Franks claimed in Parliament that TVNZ was meant to be an organisation reporting facts but had gone out of its way to suppress them, Mr Franks said.

"It has supported a QC in repeated court applications for name suppression for a star so that they can save the programme ratings until the programme ends," he alleged.

Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey said it was an operational matter but if there was any truth to Mr Franks' claims it would be a matter for shareholding ministers to become involved in.

Mr Franks said later in a statement that he would not name in Parliament the identity of the star in question at this stage, but he may yet break the suppression order.

"I will not breach the court order by further disclosure in Parliament unless there is no alternative in order to expose the complicity of a state owned enterprise and Labour politicians in a cover-up for improper reasons," Mr Franks said.

TVNZ public affairs manager Megan Richards said the organisation categorically denied colluding to retain name suppression.

"That's not correct at all. There is no QC that has been either hired or supported to seek suppression on any court case involving any TVNZ presenter."

TVNZ was in no way supporting any suppression moves, either by a QC, any other lawyer, or any person, she said.

Ms Richards declined to speculate why Mr Franks would have made the accusation.

- NZPA