Police investigate text sent to former National MP.
Police are investigating a text message, allegedly sent from the phone of National Party MP Sarah Dowie, to her former colleague and ex lover Jami-Lee Ross.
The police investigation is said to focus on whether the text message - which came after the break-up of their extra-marital relationship - constituted an incitement to self-harm, which is punishable by up to three years in prison.
Ross, 33, has previously named Invercargill MP Dowie, 43, as one of the women with whom he had an extra-marital relationship while National MP for Botany.
The text message included the words: "You deserve to die."
Ross initially received the message in August but has claimed reading it two months later led to considering self-harm. He was taken into mental health care shortly after.
The text message raised questions over whether there was a breach of the Harmful Digital Communications Act, passed under National and voted for by Dowie. The law regulated digital communications, including text messages, making it illegal to urge someone to self-harm.
Sarah Dowie and Jami-Lee Ross, pictured in Invercargill. Photo / Supplied
The fact of the police investigation was revealed by Ross during a television interview. It was apparently sparked by a call to the Crimestoppers hotline. Ross said he did not lay the complaint.
Netsafe chairperson Rick Shera, a lawyer specialising in the internet, said the introduction of the Harmful Digital Communications Act in 2015 changed the law relating to communications which prompted people to consider self-harm.
Sarah Dowie hosted Jami-Lee Ross in her Invercargill electorate. Photo / Supplied
Prior to the law change, a crime was committed only if the person who received an adverse communication actually attempted or completed a suicidal act.
Shera said the new law allowed serious emotional distress to be a trigger for action, meaning it could be enough for conviction - or a civil case - if the recipient of a message seriously considered self-harm.
In criminal cases, it was necessary to show the "intent" behind sending the message. The context in which it was sent, the resilience of the person who received it and the age of the people involved were also factors considered.
The legislation shows someone convicted of inciting someone to self-harm or suicide could face up to three years in prison.
Shera would not comment specifically on the case involving Ross as Netsafe is the approved agency overseeing the HDCA.
In an interview with the Herald on October 19 - two days before going into mental health care - Ross disclosed the extra-marital relationship with Dowie.
Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross during the October press conference at Parliament at which he quit the National Party. Photo / Mark Mitchell
At the time, the Herald and Newstalk ZB obscured Dowie's name from statements made by Ross.
The decision to disclose her identity now comes after police have confirmed an investigation into a text message received by Ross, who has said a text from Dowie led him to consider self-harm.
Ross underwent an explosive exit from the National Party after being outed as the likely leaker of Bridges' travel expenses to media. He went on to make a string of electoral finance allegations against Bridges which are still under investigation by police.
Paula Bennett says there have been no official complaints about Jami-Lee Ross from any female MPs.
During the course of Ross' exit, National's deputy leader Paula Bennett said there were issues raised with the rogue MP. "What was put to him was inappropriate behaviour that is unacceptable from a married Member of Parliament."
August 13: National Party leader Simon Bridges' travel expenses are released.
October 15: National MP Jami-Lee Ross is accused of being the leaker by Bridges.
October 16: Ross is voted out of the National Party even as he gives an hour-long press conference in which he alleges electoral finance wrongdoing by Bridges.
October 17: National's deputy leader Paula Bennett accuses Ross of behaviour "inappropriate for a married member of Parliament". Ross lays police complaints. It also emerges he secretly recorded Bridges.
October 18: Allegations of adverse behaviour by Ross towards women are published by Newsroom.
October 19: Ross admits extra-marital relationships and names Dowie during an interview with the Herald.
October 21: Ross is admitted to mental health care after going missing.
January 21: Ross emerges in a television interview saying a text message from a former lover led him to consider self-harm.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
