Govt looking after wife — minister
Lees-Galloway defends actions after recording of Sroubek phone call released
Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says the Government has taken all appropriate steps to look after the safety concerns of Karel Sroubek’s estranged wife, including reviewing the case that led to a new deportation notice.
His comments follow the release of a recording of a phone call between Sroubek and his estranged wife in which Sroubek appears to be desperate and talks about sending around “someone to talk” to her.
“Seriously, do you want me to do something stupid? Do you want me to send somebody to talk to you because you are doing crazy stuff?” Sroubek shouts to his ex-partner.
She released snippets of the recording, made on May 3, through the National Party yesterday.
It was in response to a letter Sroubek had written to the Herald claiming he had never threatened her, nor had he pressured her to write in support of his immigration case.
The letter was a strong influence in Lees-Galloway’s original decision to grant residency to Sroubek in September. He has now revoked that.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed during Question Time yesterday that she was made aware about fears for the estranged wife’s personal safety at the end of October. She said she immediately told Lees-Galloway.
After Question Time, the minister said the information from Ardern triggered the Immigration NZ review and a response to ensure that her safety concerns were responded to.
Part of that was taken care of by Police Minister Stuart Nash, who had been asked to consider the woman’s safety by the National Party’s justice spokesman Mark Mitchell.
Police then put a safety plan in place for the woman.
“I’m very confident that upon receipt of that information, all parts of the Government have responded appropriately,” Lees-Galloway said.
National Party leader Simon Bridges said the recording clearly showed Sroubek had threatened the estranged wife, despite saying in the recording he is not making threats.
“That’s what the words are, it’s pretty clear . . . ‘Sending someone around’ is one of those statements [that] are threats,” Bridges said.
He said the Government had not been forthcoming on who had lobbied on Sroubek’s behalf, and noted Ardern was still refusing to release the content of a text she received from Richie Hardcore commending the Sroubek decision.
“There’s two words that go together — cover-up.”
During Question Time, National deputy leader Paula Bennett sought to pin down Ardern about statements Winston Peters had made on Ardern’s behalf, speaking of the estranged wife’s withdrawal of support for Sroubek’s residency after writing a support letter.
Ardern said Peters may not have known what she had done with respect to the estranged wife’s safety when he gave his answer.