War medal lawyer to testify

The lawyer who brokered the return of the war medals stolen from the Waiouru Army Museum in December 2007 has been ordered to give evidence about the deal.

The High Court order followed a legal bid that would have allowed barrister Chris Comeskey to avoid police attempts to make him testify.

Comeskey helped return the nine medals after approaching police on behalf of the alleged thieves.

Lawyer Jeremy Bioletti, acting for one of the two men accused of the theft, challenged an order from a district court that would have forced Comeskey and two other lawyers to give evidence.

Bioletti claimed discussions over the return of the medals were protected by client confidentiality.

One of the accused thieves pleaded guilty last year while his alleged accomplice pleaded not guilty. Both men have name suppression.

Last week, the High Court ruled Comeskey and lawyer Geoffrey Anderson could not rely on client confidentiality "relating to legal services sought or supplied regarding the return of the medals".

The judgment is covered by extensive suppression orders.