Sensible Sentencing Trust (SST) head Garth McVicar has spoken out against critics of his book Justice, saying opponents of the trust were using controversy against him.
McVicar's book, released by Penguin on February 27, has come under fire since it was revealed it was penned by a ghost writer, despite promotingMcVicar as the author on the cover and Penguin's website.
The book is described as the story of how an "ordinary cocky from Hawke's Bay became a spokesperson for the victims of violent crime".
However, the book was actually written by author Michael Larsen - who isn't credited until the second title page. Earlier this month a story was widely published which said Mr McVicar hadn't read the book through, but called it "a phenomenal read".
"There's a bit of hoo-ha about the fact there was a ghost writer," Mr McVicar said.
"When Penguin approached me to do the book in 2009, I knew I wasn't capable of writing it, so they sent a ghost writer."
Larsen completed a series of lengthy interviews with Mr McVicar and stayed with him on his Hawke's Bay farm for a number of weeks. He also accompanied him to SST general meetings and was forwarded every email sent and received by the trust head over a year.
Penguin would send Mr McVicar chapters in no particular order, which he would read, but not in the order of publication.
"We realised when the book was going to happen it would upset our opponents," Mr McVicar said. "The people who are being critical were never going to be supportive of us anyway."
Penguin Group general manager of marketing Sandra Lees said use of a ghost writer was common and not misleading.
