30 Aug 2013

GCSB: PM says police got it right

2:02 pm on 30 August 2013

The Prime Minister says a police decision not to lay any charges against the Government Communications Security Bureau supports what he has been saying for some time.

Police on Thursday announced they would not lay charges over unlawful spying on Kim Dotcom by the GCSB.

A complaint had been laid by Greens co-leader, Russel Norman.

Mr Key said the GCSB did break the law in its spying on Mr Dotcom, but it didn't do so intentionally.

He said the burea made a mistake, but it did not breach the Crimes Act as at the time, it believed Mr Dotcom was a foreign resident.

No accountability - Greens

The Green Party said there is no accountability for the illegal actions of the Government Communications Security Bureau.

Police on Thursday announced they would not lay charges over unlawful spying on Kim Dotcom by the GCSB.

Detective Superintendent Peter Read said only one communication relating to Mr Dotcom was intercepted that breached the Crimes Act.

While bureau personnel did technically break the law, he said they did not have the necessary intent to reach a threshold where a prosecution should be taken.

Dr Norman said the law clearly states the intent to intercept is the bar for prosecution, and that bar was crossed.

Labour also said public confidence in intelligence agencies will be further eroded by the decision not to lay charges.

Deputy leader Grant Robertson said there appears to be no accountability for the bureau and its illegal activities, and a full inquiry into all the intelligence agencies is needed to restore public confidence.