Protest ‘judge’ stood down from clinic

WELLINGTON: The fake judge who ‘‘convicted’’ the Government of ‘‘crimes against humanity’’ in a mock trial during the protest at Parliament last week has been stood down from his senior role with a prominent health provider.

Rick Southey, the nonclinical national manager of Whanau Ora Community Clinic, was dressed in judicial robes with gavel in hand last Tuesday as he oversaw the mock trial, organised by Brian Tamaki’s Freedom and Rights Coalition and watched by about 1500 protesters.

Clinic director George Ngatai yesterday confirmed Mr Southey has been stood down pending a review of his actions.

‘‘I think that it may not have been a wise thing to do,’’ Mr Ngatai said of Mr Southey’s participation in the protest.

‘‘Everybody has to be responsible for their actions and whatever the outcomes are from those actions then they’ve got to deal with those consequences . . .’’

Mr Southey, a member of Mr Tamaki’s Destiny Church, was one of the key individuals involved in last week’s protest.

Despite numerous attempts, Mr Southey could not be reached for comment.

Mr Ngatai said a clinic staff member had lodged a complaint about Mr Southey’s role at the protest.

On Wednesday, Mr Ngatai stood him down from the community clinic and initiated a review that would determine any consequences for his actions.

Mr Ngatai, who is also a Destiny Church member and candidate for Vision NZ, said he had not known of Mr Southey’s planned role in the protest but if he had he would have instructed him not to participate.

According to a document released in November last year under the Official Information Act, the community clinic had received almost $8 million from the nowdisestablished Counties Manukau District Health Board since July 2018 — largely for the Covid testing and vaccination services it provided.

Mr Ngatai hoped Mr Southey’s actions had not jeopardised future funding or tarnished views of his staff. —