Ex-love stands by Tony Veitch

Kristin Dunne Powell, right, and Antoinette Attard, left, have different views on Tony Veitch. Photos / Kenny Rodger, Supplied

Police have questioned a former long-term girlfriend of Tony Veitch about their relationship and last night she broke her silence to defend the shamed broadcaster.

Antoinette Attard, 32, believes officers contacted her over rumours that she and Veitch had a violent relationship, but she said the speculation was false.

Police also asked her about a verbal altercation she had with Kristin Dunne Powell at a bar in the Viaduct, in Auckland.

"Tony was never violent with me and I don't believe he ever would be," said Attard, who dated Veitch from 2002 until 2005, and now lives in Melbourne, where she works in recruitment. "We would argue every now and again but it was never to the point of being aggressive or angry. Nothing like that, no.

"This whole thing has blown me away, but I guess in a way it has given me a chance to set the record straight and talk about what sort of person Tony really is."

Attard's comments came as detectives widened their inquiry into the saga.

As well as speaking to Attard, police also visited the Herald on Sunday's offices this week and are expected to serve a search warrant on the newspaper within the next fortnight to obtain a copy of the transcript of Paul Holmes' exclusive interview with Veitch four weeks ago.

They are also expected to seek a copy of a recording of the interview.

They believe the interview might cast more light on the alleged assault, although Veitch was careful to avoid any details of what happened between himself and Dunne Powell at his St Heliers house in January 2006.

Police have also spoken to Holmes, but not in a formal interview. They have yet to speak to Veitch.

Attard met Dunne Powell once, at a Viaduct bar in Auckland. Dunne Powell and Veitch were dating at the time, and Dunne Powell introduced herself to Attard.

Attard said she found the experience frosty. "I was very much like 'I'm glad you and Tony are together. I know that Tony and I have our own history, but we have a strong friendship, so I don't need to know you to have Tony in my life. If Tony and I want to be in each other's lives, we will choose to be'."

On Friday police asked her about the conversation.

Attard said the allegations, which surfaced publicly six weeks ago, had shocked her.

"I thought, this is not Tony... I thought this is so wrong and you know, I've never questioned in my mind, 'did he do this?"'