MPs may apply blowtorch over 'bastards' jibe

Craig Boyce

Former TVNZ chairman Craig Boyce may find himself hauled back before a select committee to explain why he referred to its members as "bastards" and the "enemy".

The comments were in emails Mr Boyce sent to the chief executive at the time, Ian Fraser, about appearing before the finance and expenditure select committee last year during its inquiry into TVNZ.

The emails were obtained by National MP Murray McCully and revealed Mr Boyce cautioned Mr Fraser against discussing undisclosed matters which occurred last year between Mr Fraser and former board member Dame Ann Hercus, saying "that would be a disaster for everyone".

Mr McCully referred the emails to the privileges committee, saying the email about Dame Ann amounted to "a strategy to mislead the committee".

Privileges committee chairman Simon Power confirmed to the Herald the committee had resolved last week to forward the emails to the finance and expenditure committee for inquiry, as that committee had yet to complete its wider report into TVNZ.

The chairman of that panel, Shane Jones, confirmed that "the committee is still working on the report ... The reference from the privileges committee will no doubt go on our next agenda".

Asked if the committee would require Mr Boyce or Mr Fraser to explain the emails, Mr Jones said: "I'll leave it up to the members to form a view."