What he had, he said, were hacked messages from a computer system.
It seems a character called Jordan Williams told another character, Simon Lusk, that I had sent inappropriate texts. Lusk and blogger Cameron Slater then apparently message each other about threatening me with the release of the texts unless I resign. And then I resign.
Oh, and Don Brash in replacing me was - according to Hager - Lusk's client. Ta da!
What hasn't been reported is Hager writing: "The documents do not contain the texts and we do not know they exist. There is also no evidence that a direct threat was made to Hide."
So he quietly admits his "explosive claim" could be a fizzer. Even with the admission our so-called investigative journalist never bothered confirming his story. Hager never rang to ask: "Hey, I have just come across the damnedest stuff and just have to ask, were you ever blackmailed?"
To which I would reply: "No, definitely not. I would never give in to blackmail. I would go straight to the police. It's a crime. I have no doubt the police and the courts would take a dim view of any attempt to blackmail a political leader and Government minister. It never happened."
But then if Hager had fact-checked, "one of the most explosive claims in the book" would evaporate. Far better to publish, run the story, make everyone scramble.
I have a baby to feed, girls to dress, dollars to earn, but in 10 minutes I had the story. I tracked down Jordan Williams. He had no texts. He says the claims are "utterly, utterly false ... outrageous. ... disgusting". I believe him. I emailed Don Brash. No, Simon Lusk never worked for him. I believe him.
I get on with my day relieved that there is one more Nicky Hager book I don't have to read.
The Greens, bless them, want multiple inquires. They are complaining to the police. I can save them the trouble. It's not true. Never happened.
In Britain, journalists have got into a great deal of trouble hacking phones and reporting the truth. But here it's different. Hacking computers to report 2 plus 2 is 17 makes for breaking news.
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