Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 4, 2011 0:12:11 GMT 12
Defence Boss in Porn Fuss
Jonathon Marshall
Last updated 05:00 03/07/2011
A senior New Zealand Defence boss has been questioned over screening pornographic movies during a peacekeeping mission.
The Sunday Star-Times was told that Brigadier Antony "Lofty" Hayward – now New Zealand's Defence representative in London – held screenings in East Timor between 2001 and 2003.
Defence initially refused to discuss the allegations because of "privacy issues" but on Friday Defence chief Rhys Jones reconsidered. "I have taken the opportunity to reconsider my earlier response and agree that an allegation [Hayward] ran pornographic viewing sessions while commanding officer of battalion number five is a serious one, and indeed a matter in which the public would have a strong interest."
After complaints, Major-General Martyn Dunne – now New Zealand's High Commissioner to Australia – travelled to East Timor but "no report was produced as a consequence of that visit".
Hayward had been spoken to since the Star-Times made inquiries, and recalled being questioned over watching pornography with his fellow soldiers. "He does acknowledge that Dunne addressed the issue of pornography with him when he visited East Timor in 2002, and assured him that viewing pornography was not widespread nor encouraged."
A Defence source said the incident had probably surfaced now – out of "jealousy" – because Hayward, recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours, was given the role in London.
Sunday Star Times
Jonathon Marshall
Last updated 05:00 03/07/2011
A senior New Zealand Defence boss has been questioned over screening pornographic movies during a peacekeeping mission.
The Sunday Star-Times was told that Brigadier Antony "Lofty" Hayward – now New Zealand's Defence representative in London – held screenings in East Timor between 2001 and 2003.
Defence initially refused to discuss the allegations because of "privacy issues" but on Friday Defence chief Rhys Jones reconsidered. "I have taken the opportunity to reconsider my earlier response and agree that an allegation [Hayward] ran pornographic viewing sessions while commanding officer of battalion number five is a serious one, and indeed a matter in which the public would have a strong interest."
After complaints, Major-General Martyn Dunne – now New Zealand's High Commissioner to Australia – travelled to East Timor but "no report was produced as a consequence of that visit".
Hayward had been spoken to since the Star-Times made inquiries, and recalled being questioned over watching pornography with his fellow soldiers. "He does acknowledge that Dunne addressed the issue of pornography with him when he visited East Timor in 2002, and assured him that viewing pornography was not widespread nor encouraged."
A Defence source said the incident had probably surfaced now – out of "jealousy" – because Hayward, recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours, was given the role in London.
Sunday Star Times
