Dunedin shooting claims ‘gutter politics’

POLICE MINISTER Anne Tolley has called claims by Labour that police were told to pick and choose the cases they pursued, ‘‘gutter politics’’.

She said the claims were designed to score points from the shooting last week of two Dunedin children.

Edward Livingstone, 51, shot and killed his children after turning up at their mother Katharine Webb’s Dunedin house in the harbourside suburb of St Leonards with a shotgun and a can of petrol last Wednesday evening.

He used a secret key to get inside where he killed Bradley, 9, and Ellen, 6 as they lay in their beds. Livingstone’s body was also found in the house.

Webb had a protection order against Livingstone but the former Corrections worker breached it twice and was known to police.

Labour Party police spokeswoman Jacinda Ardern said claims government cuts had put pressure on police to not pursue certain cases required a response from the minister.

Ms Ardern said that although there was no evidence such policing had happened, it was ‘‘disturbing’’ to hear anecdotal stories.

‘‘While I have heard similar stories, finding evidence of what are allegedly verbal instructions is difficult. In real terms, the police budget has been reduced. It would

‘I am disgusted that they would stoop so low, and try to use this terrible tragedy for political ends.’

Anne Tolley

be disturbing if that has resulted in management telling officers not to pursue cases,’’ she said.

Mrs Tolley said she was appalled at the claims.

‘‘Labour has made wholly inaccurate and false claims around the pursuit and prosecution of cases,’’ Mrs Tolley said. ‘‘I am disgusted that they would stoop so low, and try to use this terrible tragedy for political ends.

‘‘Police twice arrested the offender responsible for this shocking crime. The full facts are still to emerge and a police investigation is continuing.’’