Guyon Espiner landed a doozie on Chris Finlayson this morning. He quizzed Finlayson on why the GCSB was used to spy on New Zealand’s trading partners to help Tim Groser’s WTO campaign.
Espiner posed this question:
When this became public in the New Zealand Herald one comment was that “this was a backward looking anti American bunch of plonkers thats what these guys are. They are not interested in the future of New Zealand or making it stronger, they are just opposed to the Government”. Do you agree with that?
Finlayson then responded
You always get that type of wild eyed stuff on the right.
After being told that John Key was the person who made the comment Finlayson blustered through the interview and indignantly refused to acknowledge that the GCSB had been engaged in the WTO project, allegedly to intercept diplomatic communications in pursuit of providing Tim Groser an advantage in his attempt to become the next head of the World Trade Organisation. Of course continuous refusal to deny this occurred adds weight to the claim.
Hopefully Cheryl Gwyn’s investigation will get to the heart of the matter although I suspect the Government will be doing everything it can to prevent publication of any finding that may be politically damaging.
And Finlayson needs to be more circumspect in what he says. Disclosing National Party secrets will make him very unpopular with elements of his party.
A cheap shot, but cheap shots still hurt when they hit.
How was that cheap ? A man of such ‘born to rule’ brilliance should have been all over Espiner. It’s his claiming particular affinity for “Maori” shits me. Posturing upper class dork he is !
Sanctuary .there was nothing cheap about it !
Journalist are meant to question politicians ,they are our only protection from Government malfeasance .
The use of the the GCSB to help Groser cheat is indefensible .
Considering that Groser would have picked up a US$700,000.00 tax free gig for 4 years from the spying had it worked !
It is a crime by New Zealand law and shows the “ends ,justify the means” mentality of the Key regime.
In political circles they have a saying for a situation such as this, which is that “it’s difficult difficult lemon difficult”. Gosh, I hope he doesn’t get disinvited to future interviews.
😀
A genuine ambush, slugged from in front by his own colleague’s cosh.
Does Crosby/Textor not give training on how to deal with out of left field quotes from journalists? Or does this lot of government ministers believe that they have such a tame media that such a sandbagging would never occur?
Finlayson deserved it with his dismissive comments about the value of enquiries after having three enquiries well within one year into GCSB matters.
A tame complaint owned MSM that pretty much allows the BS to go unchallenged has been a theme since before the 08 election.
Recent example would be smith and bridges lying with numbers to deflect deserved criticism reported as fact.
Findlayson is a victim of his own arrogance and not even his own side have a lot of time for his smarmy air of QC superiority and self importance as it makes him vulnerable.
Pride comes before a fall. When you are as super arrogant and conceited as Chris, it’s difficult to ‘train’ for. The Creep will not be amused.
It wasn’t out of Left field but from the Right. Finlayson even identified it as such:
😈
Sadly she has said that she will not be able to tell whether or not the spying for Grosser happened or not.
Grumpy Chris?
I believe the phrase Finlayson was looking for is “swivel eyed loons“
So does that make Findlayson “a swivel eyed loon” or is just a form of “swivel eyed lunatic?”
does this mean finlayson is on the left of the national party????
Well, to the left of the unhinged talkback crowd anyway.
Which is the constituency John Key was addressing with those comments.
(Re: Finlayson then responded ‘ You always get that type of wild eyed stuff on the right’)
what F meant : ‘You always get that type of wild eyed leg pullers & A.Hs on the right’
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke /sarc
A great caption photo.
”Did you fart Chris?, if you did you’re not sittin’ here”.
or “He is full of farts…and crossing his legs doesnt fool me…the smell always leaks out eventually”
Wonder if Key is “bushy-tailed” as well – if so he can tug his own tail from now on!
Snippy Chris QC [self-appointed]. So impeccable and born to rule he utilises a butter knife even whilst dining alone. Ugly prick when caught out though. Well done Espiner !
Photo caption 1.
The Odd Couple
Photo caption 2.
Who threw the paper on the floor?
Photo caption 3.
Next ponytail victim seat vacancy.
Photo caption 4.
Interview seat for Finlayson replacement.
Photo caption 1.
The Odd Couple
Photo caption 2.
Who threw the paper on the floor?
Photo caption 3.
Next ponytail victim seat vacancy.
Photo caption 4.
Interview seat for Finlayson replacement.
Another plonka graduates to the #ShonkeyPlonkeyClub