By: Larry Williams | Monday, April 30, 2012

Banks v Dotcom

The PM is taking John Banks word over Dotcom's so called anonymous donations.

John Key has been given an assurance by Mr Banks that he complied with all the local government regulations and laws, and the PM accepts him at his word.

Legal opinion seems to suggest that Mr Banks may escape from this mess. He can claim he doesn't know where the donation came from and that will be that. Unless there is evidence to the contrary.

But here's the thing:

The fact that Mr Banks has refused to answer any questions, or give an alternative version of events, will lead people to only one conclusion I think.

The perception is that Dotcom wrote two cheques out for $25k at Mr Banks request, deposited them into his campaign account, and he rang Dotcom to thank him for the donation. If that is the case, and Banks has not countered that claim, then it’s hardly an anonymous donation.

Dotcom is going to produce the financial records. The police are investigating.

The point is, it doesn't really matter where this complaint goes, it’s what it looks like - and it looks dodgy. I think the public have probably already made up their minds on this one.

In politics, perception is everything. 

Dotcom

As for Kim Dotcom.

He's still on bail and facing extradition proceedings on piracy charges laid by United States authorities.

I have stated previously that Dotcom should never have gained access to this country based on his previous convictions. He's got his fan club, particularly in some sections of the media. I'm not one of them.

The story goes that Mr Banks spurned Dotcom when he was in Mt Eden prison so having been rejected by Banks it was time to get even.

You don't hand out cheques for nothing. You do it for a reason. You keep the evidence. Call it insurance.

I'd be interested to know if Banks was the only recipient of Mr Dotcoms generosity.

ACC

This Bronwyn Pullar case surfaces again.

She has released audio of her meeting with ACC to counter the allegation that she threatened ACC with going to the media if her claim wasn't settled.

Remarkably, this person who claims her privacy had been breached, intentionally recorded a meeting and then delivered it to a media outlet.

The police are investigating Ms Pullar and I'm not sure this helps her case at all.

Sir Fred Allen

'Fred the Needle' died peacefully over the weekend at the age of 92.

His funeral service will be held at Eden Park on Wednesday.

He was a legend of the game, so rugby has lost someone special.