The Commerce Commission has refused to say whether it has received complaints about bullying and intimidation in respect of its investigation into Countdown.
Photo: RNZ
But the commission has told Parliament's Commerce Select Committee it has received a number of complaints about the supermarket chain following its decision to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.
The commission announced in February this year it would investigate allegations made by Labour Party MP Shane Jones.
His colleague, Clayton Cosgrove, asked commission chief executive Brent Alderton whether it had received complaints of bullying and intimidation.
Mr Alderton replied he wasn't prepared to answer that question. However, he did give the select committee an assurance that the commission can guarantee confidentiality for complainants who don't want their identity made public.
Mr Alderton said the investigation would take several months to complete.
