New Zealand police: No charge in PM recording case
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – New Zealand police have decided not to press charges against a freelance cameraman who Prime Minister John Key claimed illegally recorded a private conversation.
On Nov. 11, in the run-up to New Zealand’s general election, cameraman Brad Ambrose left a recording device running on a cafe table while Key met with a political ally, John Banks. Key had earlier met with media at the cafe. The recording was leaked online and included a couple of coarse comments by Key.
Key’s party won the election but fell short of an outright majority.
Police Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess said Monday that although there was a clear case against Ambrose, a warning was sufficient because he had no previous criminal record and wrote letters of regret to Key and Banks.
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