Top cop cleared over perjury accusation in Dotcom case

Grant Wormald gave evidence in the High Court at Auckland relating to the search and arrest warrants executed by police at Dotcom's Coatesville property. Photo / Greg Bowker

There is no evidence a top policeman committed perjury while giving evidence in a court case involving Kim Dotcom, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found.

In August 2012 Detective Inspector Grant Wormald gave evidence in the High Court at Auckland relating to the search and arrest warrants executed by police at Dotcom's Coatesville property.

During the cross-examination Mr Wormald was asked twice whether he was aware of surveillance of Dotcom by police or any other New Zealand government organisation before January 19, 2012. He said he was not.

Later that year media reported the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) had intercepted the communications of Dotcom and an associate before the warrants were executed.

Following reports on TV One and TV3 stating that Mr Wormald's evidence had been shown to be untrue, a complaint was laid by Paul Davison, QC, alleging the inspector knew the evidence was false and misleading. Mr Davison requested a criminal investigation into possible perjury.

The police found no evidence of perjury.

In releasing yesterday's report, IPCA chairman Judge Sir David Carruthers said that, given the public interest in this matter and the conclusion reached by the police investigation, the authority conducted its own investigation to satisfy itself there had been no police impropriety during the court proceedings.

"The authority has found that the cross-examination of Detective Inspector Wormald was designed to discover whether Mr Dotcom had been the subject of visual surveillance, not whether his communications had been intercepted. Mr Wormald's interpretation of the questions being asked of him was entirely reasonable and his answers were not in any way false or misleading.

"The suggestion that he intended to mislead the court is without foundation," Sir David said.

Police Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess said the report vindicated the "extremely experienced and dedicated career police officer, with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism".

"Welcome to Zimbabwe," Dotcom said after the IPCA report.

Dotcom said there was a developing pattern of rulings against him, referring also to GCSB spying and John Banks allegations.

"There is a pattern here. One law for them and one law for us."