Telecom leak inquiry could be swift

David Shanks, the State Services Commission's chief legal advisor, has been appointed to conduct the inquiry into the leak of a secret Cabinet document to Telecom.

Commissioner Mark Prebble announced the appointment and the terms of reference for the inquiry today. He said he expected it to be completed within a month.

The document outlined the Government's intention to regulate the company and force it to open its local network to competitors.

"I realise this is a matter of intense public interest and I will ensure a fair and robust inquiry process is followed," Mr Prebble said.

"The assistance of Telecom in providing information will aid the inquiry process and is welcome."

He was referring to Telecom's own inquiry, which is believed to have uncovered the identity of the person who sent it the Cabinet paper.

Telecom spokesman John Goulter is refusing to confirm whether its own inquiry report, which was given to the SSC on Friday along with the leaked document, named the person who sent it to the corporation.

However, he said Telecom's inquiry reached "firm conclusions" and he believed the SSC's investigation would be "quite swift" as a result.

The SSC will not comment on that aspect.

A spokeswoman said today it would be a "fair and thorough" process.

Prime Minister Helen Clark, Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Communications Minister David Cunliffe have said they are sure their offices were not involved in the leak.

National is making as much political capital as it can out of the scandal, with leader Don Brash calling for Parliament's commerce select committee to hold its own inquiry.

Committee chair National MP Katherine Rich said a letter of request was received this morning, meaning members would consider it at a meeting on Thursday.

The committee is finely balanced with four National MPs, four Labour MPs and United Future MP Gordon Copeland.

Mr Copeland said he had not yet decided whether he would support an inquiry.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are to:

* Investigate how Telecom came to possess classified information about the Government's Telecommunications Stocktake Review

* Report to the Prime Minister and the Minister of State Services on the outcome of the investigation.

- NZPA