Rotorua lawyer claims child abuse article defamatory

By MIKE MATHER in Rotorua
Rotorua lawyer John Chadwick is not planning to take immediate legal action against journalist Ian Wishart over an article he claims is "clearly defamatory".

However, Mr Chadwick is not ruling out suing over the article, which heavily criticises his handling of a case of suspected child abuse in the early 1990s.

The cover story of Investigate's December edition was written by Mr Wishart, who also publishes the magazine.

Described on the cover as "our most explosive story this year", it contains details of an alleged case of child abuse that occurred in late 1992 by the father of a then 2 1/2-year-old-girl.

It also criticises other Rotorua lawyers and a judge for their roles in the case, although it does acknowledge that Mr Chadwick, who is the husband of Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick, was cleared of any wrongdoing by two Law Society investigations.

Mr Chadwick said the article was a "clear breach" of the Guardianship Act, because it quoted from the transcript of a Family Court hearing. "It's Nick Smith territory," he said.

Nelson MP Nick Smith was ruled in contempt of court and fined $5000 in February for publicly commenting on a Family Court case.

It would be up to the Solicitor General to decide whether to press charges against Investigate, Mr Chadwick said.

He would then decide whether to take any further legal action himself.

"I see that the article threw rocks at most of the lawyers in Rotorua, although I read that there was one who was doing some whispering to [Mr Wishart]. I will be looking out for that fellow to see what it was he actually said."