22 Oct 2013

Banks seeks urgent review of trial order

7:44 pm on 22 October 2013

ACT party leader John Banks is trying to get a charge of making a false electoral return dropped.

Mr Banks is seeking an urgent judicial review in the High Court to overturn the ruling by the Auckland District Court on 16 October that he stand trial.

John Banks.

John Banks. Photo: RNZ

Mr Banks says he can't get a fair trial in Parliament, nor on the streets, over allegations that he knowingly signed a false return after the 2010 Auckland mayoral election.

It is alleged that donations from casino operator SkyCity and internet businessman Kim Dotcom were signed off as anonymous when Mr Banks knew who had made them.

Mr Banks said on Tuesday that he did nothing wrong. He says there were inaccuracies in the District Court ruling and he does not want to wait for a trial.

"I think that I have taken enough and I believe I have the right to be heard in front of a judge. The proper proceedings with all the evidence. And we want it done urgently, and the best way forward is in the High Court later this week."

The MP for Epsom says the grounds for the appeal are what he calls "a myriad of factual inaccuracies in the judgement. We believe the legal decisions are flawed."

Mr Banks says he would never knowingly sign a false electoral return and believes he will be exonerated.