CTV witness perjury 'debatable' - lawyer

The question over whether a CTV Commission of Inquiry witness committed perjury is debatable according to a top Christchurch lawyer.

Gerald Shirtcliff was the construction manager while the CTV building was being built.

He gave evidence to the Commission last month about his involvement in the project via video link from Australia.

A month long investigation by The Press reporter Martin Van Beynen claims Gerald Shirtcliff may have stolen the identity of a South African engineer and faked an engineering degree before he supervised the project.

The Royal Commission says it's terms of reference requires it to inquire into the performance of buildings in the Canterbury earthquakes including why the CTV building failed.

It says despite the allegations the hearing into the performance of the CTV building is complete and during it matters relating to the construction of the building were well canvassed.

The Commission says it will not seek to acquire documents from the investigation - and will continue to consider its findings which are due to be presented to the Governor-General by 12 November.

That's led to some calling for him to be charged with lying under oath.

Nigel Hampton QC says that will be up to the police.

"It may have be done by video-link but it's before a Royal Commission that was being conducted in New Zealand, by New Zealanders, by New Zealand authority. And so it's a New Zealand issue rather than an Australian issue. So it's a New Zealand police issue if it becomes one."

Mr Hampton says questions over his past might not come under the scope of what the Commission needed to know, which was what he did or didn't do while the CTV building was being built.

"And his part in that, and what significance that played. That's their material issue in relation to his evidence. That's the question that will have to be looked at with great care by any authority such as police who come to review this and think about perjury or otherwise."

Photo: Getty Images