Probe into Collins case planned

An independent inquiry will be held into the allegations surrounding Judith Collins, probably chaired by a retired judge.

Key said he would announce full details tomorrow but confirmed there would not be a royal commission of inquiry. Witnesses would be compelled to give evidence under oath, however.

Key said the terms for reference would broadly be about the conduct of a minister. He ruled out extending it to address other claims in Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Politics.

Hager’s book drew on thousands of hacked emails to claim National links to blogger Cameron Slater, who he believed was used as a front for National Party smear campaigns.

Hager’s allegations included suggestions Collins passed on the name of a public servant, who later received death threats.

Key said a lot of those matters had already been addressed and refuted.

‘‘We’re not going on a witch hunt, we’re going on a genuine attempt to find out if there was inappropriate behaviour by a minister,’’ Key said.

Broadening the complaint was not warranted, he said.

‘‘I think the opposition will want to make those claims because they simply want to try and use this as a way of either making the thing bigger than it is or smearing the Government. I mean if you go and have a look at the broader issues I stand by the view they are either old issues, the conclusions are wrong, or alternatively they are not of such great significance that they would warrant that.’’

The SIS matter was the subject of its own inquiry, he said.

Protesters celebrate Judith Collins’ resignation in Aotea Square, Auckland.

Key said that if anyone had concerns about the integrity of the Serious Fraud Office investigation they should take those to the police, though he would not be.

Key said he was confident he had made the right decision and believed the public would back his stance.

He refused to say if the inquiry would be broadened if further concerns were raised.

If Collins was exonerated it was possible she could return to Cabinet.

The terms of reference would be released tomorrow.

Key said he had not given his MPs advice on future dealings with Slater, saying MPs on the Left also spoke with ‘‘hard-hitting’’ Left-wing bloggers.

Key said the nastiness of Left-wing and social media meant he avoided them where possible.

‘‘I could show you lots of Left-wing blogs that could do my head in if I wanted to . . . Unfortunately it ain’t just true of one side of politics, it’s true of all sides of politics and I think everybody in this room knows that.’’

Labour leader David Cunliffe said an inquiry that only looked into suggestions that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Financial Market Authority (FMA) investigations into Bridgecorp may have