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A radio interview with former top policeman Clint Rickards on why he suddenly quit his job last week has been canned at the last minute for legal reasons.
The interview, recorded last night with broadcaster Willie Jackson was due to air on Auckland's Radio Waatea at 10am.
Jackson said on his radio show this morning he has been contacted by Rickards' lawyers who advised him not to play the interview.
He told listeners that he would be following that advice.
"Unfortunately, and these things happen sometimes, his legal team has stepped in and recommended not to play it. I'll be going by that," Mr Jackson told listeners.
He said it is unfortunate but he hopes to play the 30-minute interview in the future.
A spokeswoman for Police National Headquarters said there had been no contact made between police and Mr Rickards over the interview.
The first media interview since his resignation, was understood to include Rickards saying he quit his job because of the continuing strain on his family.
"The overwhelming message that comes through to me from the interview was the importance of his family, rather than continuing to fight with Louise [Nicholas] and the police," Jackson told the Herald last night. "He did it for his whanau."
Jackson said he asked Mr Rickards if he received a golden handshake. The former Auckland district commander replied that he was unable to answer the question because of contractual reasons.
"We talked about why he walked away from his career, whether he's a rapist or not, we talked about everything the public want to know."
Mr Rickards also revealed that he felt betrayed by former police commissioner Rob Robinson and that he still supports his jailed colleagues, convicted rapists Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton.
He also talked about New Zealand police culture, his early policing days and what his future holds.
Mr Rickards, Schollum and Shipton were found not guilty in March of kidnapping and indecently assaulting Louise Nicholas in Rotorua more than 20 years ago, when she was 16.
Mr Rickards had been suspended on full pay while an internal police inquiry into his conduct took place.
A hearing into the charges was scheduled to take place next February.
Jackson said Mr Rickards phoned him on Saturday and the two men met at the radio station in Mangere last night.
"I'm really pleased he gave me a call. He got a chance to tell his side of the story. It has been an emotional time for him. He remained composed throughout the interview. He's been to hell and back."
The pair met when Jackson was an MP and spoke at a police conference about seven years ago.
"I've always thought he was telling the truth despite what 80 per cent of New Zealand thinks," Jackson said.
- with NZPA
