Brierley given out as Cricket Wgtn patron
Cricket Wellington has ‘‘dumped’’ the patronage of Sir Ron Brierley, the Wellington-raised corporate raider who was allegedly found with thousands of child exploitation images last year.
Businesses across the capital have been grappling with how to deal with their ties to the businessman, whose name has adorned buildings he has funded at schools and sports fields.
Cricket Wellington confirmed it had replaced Brierley as patron, but refused to say whether it would return the businessman’s past donations or accept future ones.
Brierley was replaced as patron of Cricket Wellington at the October annual meeting, to the disgust of John Morrison, a former New Zealand cricketer and Cricket Wellington life member. Morrison, also a former Wellington City councillor, walked out of the meeting.
‘‘I was appalled to learn of the dumping of Sir Ron, and let’s not beat around the bush and attempt to window dress it – that is what you have done, ‘dumped him’,’’ Morrison told the meeting, according to his speech notes.
‘‘My involvement with Cricket Wellington started in the mid-1960s and the one absolute constant since then, and through crisis after crisis, has been Ron Brierley.’’
Morrison said that ‘‘Ron has been there for us’’ by supporting the association, but it had not adhered to the principle of innocent until proven guilty.
Brierley was detained by Australian Border Force officials in December 2019 while attempting to board a flight to Fiji. Detectives seized his carry-on bags, laptop and electronic storage units and allegedly discovered more than 200,000 images and 512 videos. He remains on bail and is due to appear via video link again on December 10.
‘‘This could be a massive criminal stitchup ... Thismight not even go to trial,’’ Morrison said.
Cricket Wellington said in a statement that it would not comment on the matter.