Labour releases further DPS Papers

Labour today released proof that the Prime Minister of the day can decline diplomatic protection should he or she wish to.

“Letters from the Helen Clark era to the officer in charge of the diplomatic protection service make it clear that the Prime Minister can decline protection”, says Labours’ Pete Hodgson.

“Mr Key’s claim that he has no control over services provided to him is wrong. He is misleading the New Zealand public.

“Everyone would agree that prime-ministerial protection matters, and is thoroughly legitimate taxpayer expenditure. The problem is that Mr Key has turned a protection service into a visual effect; he enjoys an entourage.

“That is presumably why these staff travel on private holiday with him. His most recent trip abroad, on April 19th saw Mr Key joined in the business executive cabin of his aircraft with four bodyguards. That’s excessive”.

In another development Labour also released documents which show that he cottage next to Premier House has become a diplomatic protection squad base. Premier House is where the Prime Minister lives when in Wellington.

“Premier cottage used to be used as a Ministerial house. The Hon Stephen Joyce used to live there. However Mr Joyce is being housed elsewhere, and Mr Key’s bodyguards have shifted in.

“I don’t know whether this is an added expense for the DPS but I do know it means another Minister has to find a new home. The pattern is becoming clear; the DPS go on private overseas holidays; the DPS escort Mr Key to the actual chamber of the House; the DPS are reportedly involved in early morning boot-camp activities with the PM and now we know that they co-locate as well. Expensive.