Thorn could still appear at inquiry

Geoff Thorn.

The head of Parliamentary Service has resigned but could still be summoned to a privileges committee inquiry into how the phone records and swipe-card movements of a journalist were released.

The office of Speaker David Carter said it was up to the privileges committee to decide whether it would force Geoff Thorn to appear.

Mr Thorn quit his $320,000 job yesterday after revelations the service gave Dominion Post reporter Andrea Vance's phone records - as well as her swipe-card movement details - to an inquiry.

A Datacom contractor gave the records to David Henry's inquiry into the leak of Rebecca Kitteridge's GCSB compliance report.

The service also provided incorrect answers to written questions from Mr Carter over whether the records were sought.

Mr Carter said he had accepted Mr Thorn's resignation after confidence in Parliamentary Service had been dented.

Labour leader David Shearer said he respected Mr Thorn for doing the honourable thing, but said he should not be a scapegoat and the responsibility needed to go higher.

Mr Shearer said he would be disappointed if Mr Thorn didn't appear before the privileges committee.

Vance said yesterday she was as "mad as hell".

"Anyone who has had their confidential details hacked and shared around had the right to be angry," she said in a column. She called the release of her details a "cock-up" by Mr Key and Mr Carter.

Geoff Thorn

• Became general manager of the Parliamentary Service in February, 2008.

• Formerly head of the Commerce Commission.

• Joined the Commerce Commission as an investigator in 1994.

• Former manager of special investigations breach of the New Zealand Military Police.

• In the army for 20 years.