Concern over police spying links

Amnesty International has backed demands for an inquiry into links between private investigators and the Government to be expanded to include the police.

A Stuff Circuit investigation, called Unseen, revealed police weren’t part of the inquiry being run by the State Services Commission, and would not answer questions about surveillance of animal activists or Greenpeace.

In response, Amnesty International has launched a petition asking for police to be included in the inquiry looking into relationships between state agencies and controversial private investigation firm Thompson & Clark.

‘‘The evidence is mounting that over the last decade police and private investigation firm Thompson & Clark have been involved in increasingly sinister activities directed at activists, including surveillance and spying,’’ says the petition.

Such collusion would be a ‘‘serious blow to freedom of expression and assembly in New Zealand’’.

The petition calls on the prime minister to launch a full and independent investigation.

Veteran activist Valerie Morse has also spoken out, saying – like Greenpeace NZ executive director Russel Norman – she was surprised to discover police weren’t included in the inquiry.

‘‘It is of critical importance that the inquiry is widened to include police,’’ she said.