Field-case tiler says trial wait hurting family

Sunan Siriwan will appear as a witness for the police. Photo / Kenny Rodger

A key witness in the corruption and bribery trial of former Government Minister Taito Phillip Field has complained about the financial hardship his family are suffering while he waits to give evidence.

Sunan Siriwan, a Thai tiler who did work for Field allegedly in exchange for help with immigration matters, isn't likely to give evidence until later this month. It's understood Siriwan and his family are experiencing financial difficulties.

Field is facing 12 charges of bribery and corruption as an MP and 23 charges of wilfully obstructing or perverting the course of justice. The trial is expected to last until July.

Mr Siriwan and his wife are upset authorities have failed to provide for them when it is the police who want him to stay in the country to give evidence.

An injunction against publishing Siriwan's comments about the difficulty his family have been having was lifted by Justice Rodney Hansen in the High Court at Auckland yesterday morning.

The injunction was placed on TV3 late on Thursday over concerns that the integrity of the trial could be threatened if Mr Siriwan's comments were broadcast.

Yesterday, Justice Hansen said it was clear "there is nothing in the news item which touches directly on issues raised in this trial".