Mock judge under review by healthcare employer
The fake judge who ‘‘convicted’’ the Government of crimes against humanity in a mock trial during last weeks protest at Parliament is under review by his health provider employer.
Rick Southey is the nonclinical director of Whānau Ora Community Clinic, a chain that has practices in Auckland, Northland and Christchurch.
He was also the arbitrator dressed in robes and a wig that heard ‘‘evidence’’ about the ‘‘pain’’ Covid mandates had caused protesters in a so-called peoples’ court hearing at the protest, despite citing no legal expertise on his Linkedin page.
A spokesperson for Whānau Ora Community Clinic confirmed an investigation was taking place, but said they could not comment further. A statement would be released later this week.
Several attempts have been made to contact Southey directly.
The protest at Parliament grounds last week concluded with about 1500 protesters slowly dispersing from Parliament’s lawn after being told to have a safe trip home.
The protest also saw Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki announce his wife Hannah’s Vision NZ party is joining up with other fringe political parties to form a new group. This is despite a ‘‘shocked’’ Outdoors and Freedom Party saying they had not agreed to enter into such an alliance at all.
The Whānau Ora Community Clinic is owned by two prominent Destiny Church members, Raewyn Bhana and George Ngatai, and uses the church’s Wiri-based car park for its testing operations in south Auckland.
It was asked to change its name by the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, which says it is being intentionally misleading and ‘‘playing off’’ its name.
The clinic however, has no plans to change its name, despite the threat of legal action.