Barclay has no regrets

CLUTHASOUTHLAND MP Todd Barclay says he has no regrets about his handling of allegations he secretly recorded staff in his electorate office.

He decided not to speak to police about the allegations because his lawyer told him he did not have to, he said.

‘‘If I was obliged to talk to the police, then I would, but it was never an obligation.’’

The National MP told the Otago Daily Times yesterday he believed he could not ‘‘add value’’ by making a statement to police and he had no regrets about his handling of the issue.

‘‘It was a pretty nasty employment issue, I took advice from Parliamentary Services from the outset . . . there was nothing more I could have done.’’

The 26yearold firstterm MP continues to be dogged by controversy over his handling of the allegations, which were sparked in February last year by a complaint to police by his electorate agent, Glenys Dickson.

Documents from the 10month police investigation, which did not result in a charge, reveal Mr Barclay refused to speak to detectives about the allegations.

He had earlier told the ODT: ‘‘If they do contact me on any matter, then I will cooperate fully.’’

When asked yesterday if his aboutface had damaged his reputation and affected his reelection chances, he urged people to read the OIA documents. He was ‘‘absolutely’’ standing again this year.

Mr Barclay is in Queenstown with National MP Maurice Williamson visiting businesses.