KEY POINTS:
Tony Veitch is to break his silence this afternoon about allegations he assaulted his former partner.
The sports presenter has not commented since the claims were first published on Monday, but this afternoon a press statement was issued saying he would "make a statement, with regard to news reports published this week".
The statement will be made at 4pm in central Auckland.
Meanwhile, a group has been formed on social networking site Facebook, calling for people to boycott media appearances by Veitch over allegations the sports presenter assaulted his former partner.
At 12.45pm 87 people had joined the group.
On Monday, Veitch's employers, TVNZ and Radio Sport, said they would not comment on allegations he secretly paid business executive Kristin Dunne-Powell more than $100,000 to stay silent after a 2006 attack at his house left her temporarily in a wheelchair.
Yesterday, the broadcasters announced Veitch would be taking time out from his roles presenting One News sport, quiz show A Game of Two Halves and Radio Sport's breakfast show.
TVNZ said Veitch had agreed to step down while the broadcaster considered the "allegations made against him by some media organisations".
Head of news and current affairs Anthony Flannery said there were complex issues, particularly the privacy of others, to consider.
TVNZ did not respond to messages asking if Mr Veitch would still be presenting coverage of the Beijing Olympics.
The Radio Network said Veitch would be off air for the rest of the week, while he focused on "legal discussions related to news reports about him published this week".
The sports presenter has been under pressure to clarify allegations made by an unnamed source in the Dominion Post that he paid Ms Dunne-Powell to stick to the story that she had fallen on the stairs, after an assault for which she received hospital treatment.
TVNZ and Radio Sport refused to comment on Monday, saying they did not discuss the personal lives of staff.
Former TVNZ head of news and current affairs Bill Ralston said yesterday that his former employer was in "a very difficult situation" in its dealings with Veitch, but so far appeared to be handling it "very well".
Aside from his broadcasting roles, Veitch is the sole registered director of Ellerslie businesses Tony Veitch Television and Ynot Property Investment.
Advertisers with Veitch's Radio Sport breakfast show are adopting a "wait and see" approach to the allegations.
Patrick Clement, manager of show sponsor NuFarm New Zealand, said he had contacted The Radio Network and asked to be kept up to date. He was not reviewing NuFarm's sponsorship at this stage.
Vehicle Testing New Zealand spokeswoman Renee Campbell-Scott said the company would review its advertising if the allegations were confirmed.
"There is no way we condone abusive behaviour at any level," she said.
Nature Bee managing director Benjamin Cook said the company's advertisements were played throughout the day on Radio Sport. He was overseas and unaware of the allegations, but said he be would investigating.
"It may well call for a review of our advertisements on his show. Obviously anyone who sells a product would have concerns about something like this."
John Deere Construction and Forestry national marketing manager Glenn Croasdale said the company sponsored all Radio Sport's weather bulletins. He was not considering adjusting the sponsorship at this stage.
"We're concerned the allegation is out there but until it's confirmed we will be sitting and waiting for more information."
Families Commission chief executive Paul Curry, whose organisation's "It's Not OK" campaign against family violence aired on TVNZ this year, did not want to comment on the specific allegations against Veitch. However, he said the campaign encouraged people who were abusive to reach out and seek help.
* Brian Gardner, manager of the National Network of Stopping Violence Services, said "hush money" could allow totally unacceptable behaviour to continue unchecked.
Mr Gardner, one of the faces of the It's Not OK television adverts said police attended a domestic violence incident every seven minutes.
"Domestic violence thrives in silence," he said.
A better investment of money would be to admit that a problem and seek counselling.
"Domestic violence is often treated as a private issue by friends and employers. And often those involved do not want to talk about it. But domestic violence is dangerous and needs to be exposed."
WHAT THEY SAID
MONDAY:
TVNZ
We understand Tony has taken legal advice on the matter, and ... TVNZ does not comment on the personal lives of our staff.
THE RADIO NETWORK
It's a personal matter.
[Asked whether it was something the station was looking into]
No, not at this stage.
YESTERDAY:
TVNZ
Tony Veitch has agreed to step down from his role with TVNZ while media allegations are considered by the broadcaster.
THE RADIO NETWORK
Tony Veitch will not be on air from tomorrow morning for the rest of the week.
