Police have concluded there is insufficient evidence to prosecute ex-MP Todd Barclay over secret recording allegations, following a re-investigation.
Todd Barclay speaking to media at Parliament in June last year. Photo: RNZ / Mei Heron
In June police re-opened their inquiry into the allegations that Mr Barclay had secretly recorded a staff member.
An earlier investigation in 2016 found that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the then National MP for Clutha-Southland.
Police say they re-investigated the matter "in light of further comment and information which arose in the public domain in June 2017".
In a statement Assistant Commissioner (Investigations) Richard Chambers said police assessed the new information, re-interviewed some people and spoke to new individuals who may have had relevant information.
Mr Barclay again declined to be interviewed, as was his right, Mr Chambers said.
"After a thorough review of all information available to us, including legal advice both internal and from Crown Law, plus consideration of the Solicitor General's prosecution guidelines, police have determined that there is no change to the outcome of the original investigation.
"In that first investigation no search warrants were sought or executed as there was insufficient evidence to seek such warrants. That remained the situation during the re-investigation."
Mr Chambers said as part of the re-investigation police also looked at suggestions there had been "an element of coercion" in relation to certain key witnesses but found nothing to substantiate these suggestions.
National Party leader Bill English was not commenting on the decision.
"As Mr English has always said, this is a matter for police. He has nothing further to add," a spokesperson said.
