Note puts ex-defence man on warpath

By FRANCESCA MOLD

A former Defence Force worker caught up in allegations of snooping into an MP's military file is threatening legal action after he received a letter suspending him three weeks after he had already resigned.

Alan Emerson was last year accused of possessing sensitive information from New Zealand First MP Ron Mark's records when he worked for the Army's public relations company Communication Trumps. He denies the accusation.

Mr Emerson left the company last June and has been working part-time for the Army on recruitment projects.

Defence Force spokesman Warren Inkster said Mr Emerson was suspended on December 21 on the instructions of Defence chief Air Marshal Carey Adamson.

The suspension related to an investigation into the viewing of Mr Mark's file and allegations about Mr Emerson's possible role.

The Air Marshal subsequently learned that Mr Emerson had resigned.

Mr Emerson had a letter from the Army's military secretary on January 15 telling him of his suspension.

But he told the Herald that his resignation had been effective immediately, and he was angry that the suspension letter had been sent.

He resigned because he did not want the projects he was working on to be tainted by the allegations surrounding him.

Mr Emerson said the letter gave no reason for his suspension.

"I can't imagine even in the military system a person who had resigned being suspended without being given any reasons why or given any charges or accusations ... It just came out of the blue with no consultation at all."

Mr Emerson said he had been "horrified" by the whole process.

"It would have to be a breach of natural justice, amongst other things."

He said he had sent a letter to Air Marshal Adamson asking for an explanation and indicating he would take legal action.

Mr Emerson said the Defence Force had not questioned him about the allegations.

"But there doesn't seem to be much requirement for proof in terms of allegations within the military.

"There is very little weight put on the evidence and little consideration of innocent until proven guilty."

Mr Emerson said the allegation related to events in January last year, "and I wasn't working there then, so there is no jurisdiction over the issue."

Mr Emerson was working at Communications Trumps.

Asked what legal action he would take, Mr Emerson said: "I will be pursuing anything available with some degree of alacrity.

"I'm very angry. It's been a direct attack on my character and I take that very seriously."

The viewing of Mr Mark's military records is being investigated.

Army chief Major General Maurice Dodson has admitted looking at the files on several occasions.

Mr Mark claims his files were looked at in a bid to stifle his criticism of the Army.

The files contained details of a 30-year-old criminal conviction for underage sex, which was potentially politically embarrassing for the MP.

nzherald.co.nz/defence