Scott Watson to fight ban on meeting with investigative journalist

Scott Watson is seeking a judicial review of the decision to refuse him a meeting with an investigative journalist. Photo / File

Scott Watson will return to court this month to fight a move by Corrections to block a behind-bars meeting with an investigative journalist.

Watson is seeking a judicial review of a decision by the chief executive of Corrections to refuse him a meeting with North and South journalist Mike White.

The review will be heard in the High Court at Christchurch on May 20.

It is understood that Watson, convicted of murdering Ben Smart and Olivia Hope in 1998, wanted to discuss his case with Mr White.

In 2007, Mr White wrote a North and South article that raised "mounting doubts police got the right man".

Ms Hope's father Gerald, who has also been blocked from visiting Watson in prison, said in the article: "What we got was a conviction but we never got the truth. Nothing ever was confirmed, it was all circumstantial, there was no hard evidence. I'm not saying [Scott Watson] is not guilty. What I'm saying is let's clear up the doubt."

Watson has maintained that he didn't kill Mr Smart and Ms Hope, who were last seen boarding a yacht in Endeavour Inlet, in the Marlborough Sounds, in the early hours of January 1, 1998.

Watson was found guilty of their murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years.

Following unsuccessful appeals to the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council, Watson was also denied a pardon by the Governor-General.

Strict rules govern prison interviews by media.

The serving chief executive of the department must give permission for interviews to be conducted - although the regulations make no reference to visits by journalists where they do not conduct interviews.

The High Court hearing in Christchurch later this month will challenge the decision not to allow Watson a chance to talk with Mr White. It's understood that Watson will be in court for the hearing, which is set down for the day.

Watson's lawyer Kerry Cook yesterday declined to comment.

Corrections was being sought for comment.