Red faces as police own up to Veitch gaffe

Tony Veitch. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Police have acknowledged an embarrassing slip-up in which a detective left a sarcastic remark on the answerphone of former broadcaster Tony Veitch.

The officer, who tried to phone Veitch at his Herne Bay home on Thursday evening, made the comment, "I bet he hasn't got a smile on his face like that any more", after hearing a cheerful recorded message.

The crack has infuriated Veitch's wife, Zoe Halford, who claims the remark left her wanting "to vomit", and worried about possible police bias against her husband.

"It made me feel as if there was unprofessionalism and bias."

Veitch could find out as early as today whether he will face charges after last month admitting "lashing out" against former partner Kristin Dunne-Powell.

Veitch, 34, reportedly paid Ms Dunne-Powell more than $150,000 following the 2006 incident, which left her with four broken vertebrae.

Ms Halford - Veitch's wife of six months - went public at the weekend, saying she was worried the police would not give her husband "a fair go".

"It's almost like we've got two things to worry about: the media trial and the police. They actually impact on each other hugely, which is scary, and it's not fair on Tony," she said.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said yesterday that the detective's comments were "an unfortunate and regrettable slip-up" and the officer would no longer be dealing personally with Veitch.

On Friday, police removed a number of items, including computer equipment and Veitch's cellphone.

Ms Halford said police had searched "every room, every drawer".

"I just cannot believe it has got to this. It is mind blowing".

But Ms Hegarty said each person at the search had a specific function.

The six-strong squad - not seven as reported - comprised the officer in charge of the case, another officer to deal with the occupants, an official searcher, and two electronic crime lab staff.

She did not know the role of the sixth member of the squad.

Ms Halford also expressed concerns at what she believed was an ever-widening investigation into her husband.

"We just don't know where they are going with this. It leads us to believe they are investigating a lot more than just one night."

Veitch resigned from Television New Zealand and Radio Sport on the same day police announced that Ms Dunne-Powell had laid a formal complaint of assault against him.

- additional reporting: NZPA