SUNDAY STAR TIMES Dotcom’s political poison infects the Beehive

THERE’S AN old saying that if you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas. And there are more than a few parliamentarians itching to extricate themselves from their involvement with Kim Dotcom right now.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and Green Party co-leader Russel Norman have both been embarrassed in the past week over revelations about their dealings with the internet mogul and wannabe political leader.

Norman has admitted to having two meetings at Dotcom’s Coatesville mansion and to attempting to persuade Dotcom to give up plans to launch a political party. On their own, these meetings might have raised an eyebrow, although there is nothing stopping politicians meeting and talking to anyone they choose.

Norman seems to believe the Greens are in danger of losing votes to Dotcom’s asyet-undeclared Internet Party; a view that hardly does the Greens’ voters credit.

But Norman’s main problem is that he has actively campaigned on behalf of Dotcom against his treatment by the Government – to the extent that he has pledged to try to stop Dotcom’s extradition to face copyright and money-laundering charges in the United States.

Norman has emphatically denied any ‘‘deal’’ with Dotcom to block any extradition in return for the German pulling out of his tilt at politics. That may well be true. But Norman is no political naive. He must know that people will draw these conclusions. Regardless, Norman should not have become involved in what is a continuing legal process.

Peters, who has been forced to admit he met with Dotcom no fewer than three times, says he went to the mansion to discuss issues including Dotcom’s immigration status and the spying row involving the Government Communications Security Bureau. Again, there is nothing wrong with that. But Peters’ initial emphatic denials he had met Dotcom at all left him red-faced when Dotcom confirmed the meetings via Twitter.

Key, who has been in the thick of the action against Norman and Peters, is now facing accusations he used the GCSB to spy on Dotcom and his various political suitors – a claim he hotly denies. But in the process, the Prime Minister has been forced to admit he has regular fireside chats with internet blogger Cameron Slater, which does Key no credit either.

Memo to Norman, Peters, John Banks, Key and any politician who has had anything to do with Dotcom: the man is political poison. Every MP infected by Dotcom has ended up with a rash of accusations levelled against them.

The hold Dotcom appears to have over sections of the political and media communities is curious. It’s also worriesome. Dotcom is, at best, a colourful and slightly eccentric businessman with a chip on his shoulder at the way he has been treated by this Government and its security agencies.

Certainly Dotcom was poorly – and possibly illegally – treated. But he is far from an innocent bystander. He is a convicted fraudster used to sailing close to the wind on copyright infringement, with serious charges hanging over his head and a large axe to grind.

Dotcom appears to have significant powers of influence and deep pockets. That should not, however, allow him to influence the political process. And yet that is precisely what he is currently doing. At least until Dotcom’s legal battles are over, politicians of all hues would be well advised to give Dotcom a wide berth and let justice take its course.