IPCA clears DI Wormald of perjury in Dotcom case

The IPCA reports:

A report released today by the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that there is no evidence to support allegations that a Police officer committed perjury when giving evidence in the judicial review proceedings brought by Mr Kim Dotcom. …

In releasing today’s report Independent Police Conduct Authority Chair, Judge Sir David Carruthers, said that, given the public interest in this matter and the conclusion reached by the Police investigation, the Authority conducted its own investigation in order to satisfy itself there had been no Police impropriety during the court proceedings.

“The Authority has found that the cross-examination of Detective Inspector Wormald was designed to discover whether Mr Dotcom had been the subject of visual surveillance, not whether his communications had been intercepted.  Mr Wormald’s interpretation of the questions being asked of him was entirely reasonable and his answers were not in any way false or misleading.

“The suggestion that he intended to mislead the Court is without foundation,” Sir David said.

It’s been a long long time since Dotcom has had a court or authority ruling go his way.

The full report is worth reading.

Our own analysis of the transcript of evidence has led us to conclude that Mr Davison’s questions were unquestionably directed at the visual surveillance of the movements of those who were the subject of the warrants (and in particular Mr Dotcom). Detective Inspector Wormald’s interpretation of the questions being asked of him was accordingly entirely reasonable and his answers were not in any way false or misleading.

No doubt some will claim a cover up, but the IPCA has shown no reluctance to criticise the Police when they have got things wrong.