John Armstrong: PM suffers his hardest blow so far
5:30 AM Thursday Oct 4, 2012
Prime Minister John Key. Photo / APN
Finally, some answers. What's more, some answers about who knew what and when; some answers which should leave the Prime Minister's face as red as his favoured pinot noir.
Despite John Key's insistent denials, it now seems to be the case that he actually was briefed by the GCSB on its eavesdropping on Kim Dotcom at a session in February which outlined the spy agency's wider roles and capabilities.
Key cannot remember. Neither can Ian Fletcher, the GCSB director. But others present confirmed there was brief mention of the Dotcom saga. Key has had to accept their word.
He knows that he consequently emerges battered from this affair; that the Opposition parties have landed their strongest hit on him since he became Prime Minister. He will roll with the punches, however. He has little choice. Opposition parties are claiming the episode demonstrates the real level of incompetence within Key's Government.
Any incompetence in this case, however, should be sheeted home to the bureau. It has taken more than two weeks to provide Key with basic information. Its inertia has dumped Key right in it. His demands that it move with greater speed appear to have gone unheeded.
Essentially, there has been a culture clash between the slow, methodical GCSB and the frantic world of politics.
As a result, Key has called in Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Kitteridge to sort out the GCSB. He clearly no longer trusts the bureau.
Key is likely to feel obliged to apologise to Parliament for the inaccuracy of some of his statements to the House. But the worst looks to be over for National.
Less than two weeks later, on the 29th of February, John Key gets briefed by the GCSB, with reference made to the Dotcom arrest in January.
Yet, somehow, no mention was made of the fact that questions had already been raised about the legality of the spying? Really?
Conveniently, no written record was kept. And John Key has absolutely no memory of it.
Considering the whole purpose of the GCSB is *national security*, shouldn't John Key be paying more attention during his briefings?
His incompetence, bumbling and famed smile, wave, scuttle and run techniques for dealing with the numerous crises that have hung around this NACTional govt since its 2008 election is far too much to ignore or attempt to gloss over with PR spin.
A more responsible and honorable minister would fall on his sword uttering the words "Mea Culpa." as he descended into the annuals of the history of political comedians.