Labour accuses PM of lying by omission

Prime Minister John Key says he simply forgot – but critics have accused him of ‘‘lying by omission’’ and ‘‘misleading the public’’ over the appointment of spy boss Ian Fletcher.

Fairfax Media Post revealed yesterday that Mr Key shouldertapped family friend Ian Fletcher for the job to head the Government Communications Security Bureau in a phone-call. Four other short-listed candidates with military or intelligence experience were rejected.

Mr Key failed to reveal this crucial detail when he was repeatedly grilled over his role in the appointment by journalists and in Parliament last week.

Yesterday when asked why he had not mentioned it, he said: ‘‘I’d forgotten that at that particular time,’’ he said.

Opposition politicians greeted the memory lapse with scepticism.

Labour’s deputy leader, Grant Robertson, said Mr Key had ‘‘lied by omission’’ and said his explanation was not credible. Green Party MP Steffan Browning says it is ‘‘questionable’’ and that Mr Key has misled the public.

Mr Key has downplayed their relationship, saying last week he ‘‘vaguely’’ knew him.

He told reporters his only role in Mr Fletcher’s appointment was to accept a recommendation from State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie.

He told Mr Fletcher to talk to Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet head Maarten Wevers about applying.

Mr Fletcher was the only candidate interviewed by an State Services Commission-convened panel – which included Sir Maarten – but Mr Key has insisted his own intervention didn’t hold sway.

‘‘It’s not unusual. It’s not like I went and appointed the guy.’’

He also rejected the suggestion that the director of GCSB should come from an intelligence or military backgrounds.

Labour will today lodge a breach of privilege complaint against Mr Key for misleading Parliament over his answers during Question Time last week.