Posted by Blogger Name. Category:
Bill Jefferies
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John Banks
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Justice Edwin Wylie
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No Minister
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Phillip Field
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Sir Douglas Graham
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The Veteran
The Veteran blogs at kindred blog No Minister. Without identifying him - that is his pergogative - The Veteran served New Zealand with distinction as an officer in the army. He now does a lot of voluntary work with ex-servicemen and women.
And he shares his opinion on the Banks verdict:
The verdict is in. Putting the question of an Appeal to one side it is likely that the Speaker will, on receiving formal advice from the Court, declare the Epsom seat vacant.
I did not hear all the evidence so I will refrain from commenting on the merits of the case except to say that listening to Bank's budget speech a few days ago it sounded very much like his valedictory speech ... perhaps in his heart of hearts he knew the cards were stacked against him.
It's a sad end to public life for John Banks. Sure he was controversial but the flip side is that he is one of the most kind hearted and generous men that I know. I have the privilege of chairing a Trust which provides financial assistance to the children and grandchildren of our Vietnam veterans. To the best of my knowledge John has no great connection with our community yet he has been one of our most generous supporters both in cash and kind. That's the John Banks I know.
I suspect many will want to put their boot in now he is down. Not me. Rather I will confine myself to saying that when you sup with the devil you do so at your peril .... as Cunliffe, Norman, Peters and Hone will find out to their cost.
The public face of John Banks is brash and controversial; often deliberately so. But we have heard from any number of people over the years that the real John Banks is a very different creature; the kind-hearted and generous man described by The Veteran.
The political Left has gloated since Justice Edwin Wylie tendered his verdict yesterday, in much the same way as the Right did when Phillip Field was convicted of corruption. We've gone back over our Field archives, and let's just say that it isn't our finest work.
There is no joy in any public fall from grace. We should however take comfort that even when current or former politicians such as Banks, Field, Sir Doug Graham and Bill Jefferies transgress, our legal system will hold them accountable.
