Journalist considers legal action over SAS comments

A Kiwi journalist has hit back at accusations raised after a story about the treatment of Afghan prisoners by the SAS. Photo / US Army

The journalist who raised concerns about the SAS's handling of prisoners in Afghanistan is considering legal action over comments from the Defence Force and Prime Minister John Key.

Metro magazine last month published an article by journalist Jon Stephenson that claimed prisoners were tortured after New Zealand's Special Air Services (SAS) handed them over to other forces.

Defence Force chief Lieutenant General Rhys Jones last week disputed the allegations, saying they were "founded upon a number of factual inaccuracies, especially concerning NZSAS operations".

Mr Key last week stood by the Defence Force's review of the allegations and said Mr Stephenson's assertions were "wrong and unfounded".

He hit out at Mr Stephenson's credibility, saying the journalist had once impersonated TV broadcaster Duncan Garner to get Mr Key to call him.

"I hung up on him because when people impersonate someone else I don't take them seriously," Mr Key said.

"I just don't think he's credible. If you look at the assertions he's made in this article they're actually not supported by the investigation from the New Zealand Defence Force."

Mr Stephenson said the comments from Lt Gen Jones and Mr Key were incorrect and defamatory, Radio New Zealand reported today.

He said he wrote to Lt Gen Jones yesterday to ask him to apologise and withdraw his comments.

Mr Stephenson said he would not take the matter further if Lt Gen Jones did so.

- NZPA