17 May 2012

Judith Collins files defamation proceedings

1:00 pm on 17 May 2012

ACC Minister Judith Collins is moving ahead with a defamation case against two Labour MPs and has filed proceedings in the High Court.

The legal action centres on Ms Collins's claim that the pair defamed her on Radio New Zealand over comments about who leaked details about ACC claimant Bronwyn Pullar to the media.

Mr Little says he intends to cause Ms Collins the utmost inconvenience and embarrassment over what he calls her flimsy prosecution, including over how legal papers are served on him.

"I think that's going to be difficult for her because she can't serve me in Parliament and if she wants to come around home and cause an inconvenience there that'll be recorded on a digital camera, available for broadcast."

Mr Mallard has echoed Mr Little's approach and is also considering whether he records the serving of papers.

Radio New Zealand has not heard from Ms Collins' lawyers after initially being cited. Mr Little says this confirms to him that the case is political and not a serious piece of litigation.

Ms Collins did not want to comment on the case.