Former political figure denies assault charge after Dunedin bar incident

The man has been granted interim name suppression. Photo / George Heard

A former political figure has pleaded not guilty to three charges, including assault, at the Dunedin District Court today.

The man appeared before Judge Emma Parsons, where he entered not guilty pleas to charges of assault, escaping the lawful custody of a police officer, and behaving in a disorderly manner in circumstances likely to cause violence to start.

All three charges relate to an alleged incident at a central Dunedin bar on November 27.

The man had previously sought to keep his identity secret, with counsel for the defendant arguing that publication of his name would have a significant impact on his family.

Judge Parsons continued interim name suppression until the defendant’s next appearance in April.

He was remanded on bail, with conditions that include not being violent or threatening towards any person or property, not entering or coming within 100m of the bar where the incident is alleged to have occurred, and residing at a specified address.

He is due to reappear in court on April 24.

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.