Law professor uses false name

A university professor has employed a false name to publicly lobby against the End of Life Choice bill.

University of Auckland associate professor Stephen Penk had letters to the editor published in numerous papers under the name Stephen Francis, obscuring his true identity

The professor is father of National MP Chris Penk and Alex Penk, who is chief executive of think tank Maxim Institute. All three campaign strongly against the bill, which seeks to legalise voluntary euthanasia, or assisted death.

One letter, which appeared in The Dominion Post among other newspapers, responded to the ‘‘calculated spin’’ of euthanasia campaigner Maryan Street. When the obfuscation was challenged by The Dominion Post editor Eric Janssen, Penk said his last name was ‘‘closely and prominently’’ linked to the university’s Law School. Francis is Penk’s middle name.

‘‘I was writing in a purely private capacity, and did not want my views purportedly associated with, or attributed to, the Auckland Law School, as might have been the case if my surname were included.’’

Yet he provided his last name in public submissions against the bill in 2018, telling MPs of his experience as a law professor. Penk, who said he did not intend to mislead and provided his home address when submitting the letter, hasn’t responded to requests for further comment.

University of Auckland was approached for comment, but did not provide a written response by last night.

The professor’s obscured identity, which is said to have appeared in the pages of The Gisborne Herald, Southland Times, Hawke’s Bay Today, Rodney Times, The Northland Age and Whanganui Chronicle, was revealed by assisted-death advocate Martin Hanson.

ACT leader David Seymour, who sponsored the bill, said nobody should exaggerate the support for their cause by using a fake name, or feel unable to use their proper name.

Janssen said using full, real names was not negotiable. ‘‘The letters page is a forum for honest debate between readers, and using a part name or pseudonym for letters is misleading other readers. We add writers’ title and organisation if the letter is in an official capacity, and don’t when it’s in a private capacity..’’