Barclay is back, but not talking
ANALYSIS: Embattled CluthaSouthland MP Todd Barclay may be back in Parliament this week but he still isn’t answering any questions.
The young ex-tobacco lobbyist, who is accused of secretly recording a staff member, arrived on Tuesday morning with a smile and a ‘‘good morning’’ for the waiting media.
Later that morning, he quickly made his way into the caucus room, arriving in a large group with Revenue Minister Judith Collins and other National MPs.
Even in the House during question time Barclay was naturally shielded from any direct questions from the Opposition, because he is not a minister.
Instead, they had to ask his leader, Bill English, about him. English simply deflected these off with the assertion that anything he had to do with the employment dispute was not done in his capacity as prime minister.
Then yesterday morning, on a long walk into the education select committee which Barclay deputy chairs, he remained silent other than to say he had ‘‘nothing further to add’’.
So, what are the questions everyone is so keen to get answered?
There’s the big one - did he secretly record senior electorate agent Glenys Dickson?
We know that the prime minister said to police in a statement that Barclay told him he had recordings of her criticising him, but Barclay has in the past rejected secret recording allegations, rather than necessarily the existence of any recording. If Barclay recorded a conversation that he had with Dickson that would not be a crime - it only steps into criminal territory if he secretly recorded conversations Dickson had with other people.
The other obvious question is whether Barclay will co-operate with police, who have reopened the investigation. When they initially investigated the matter he refused to talk to them, following advice from his lawyer.
On his way into select committee yesterday he refused to answer repeated questions about this matter.
While the scandal was reemerging in late June, English publicly advised Barclay to cooperate with the police, but yesterday he was more reticent, saying: ‘‘We’ve discussed that before and really now that’s a matter for Todd.’’
Seconds later he was asked if another MP - this time Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei should dob in people lying to get more money from Work and Income.
English was happy to comment on this one.
‘‘I disagree with politicians essentially advocating breaking the law. If you come into Parliament you have the ability to change the law.’’