Shane Jones has broken his silence on Bill Liu; Stuff reports:
Labour MP Shane Jones has admitted there were questions over the identity of the Chinese millionaire he controversially gave a New Zealand passport to.Jones approved the application from Yong Min Yan, who is standing trial for passport fraud.He overruled the advice of internal affairs officials who said Yan's citizenship should not be approved. Yan - also known as Bill Liu - had been red-flagged by Interpol, had a number of identities and his Australian bank accounts were frozen.Jones said today: ''Look, I certainly know that there was a live issue as to whether or not this man is who he says he was. Without access to files I just really can't tell you whether I can recall...''Earlier in 2008, immigration officials had recommended Yan's residency - granted in 2002 - be revoked. Then-immigration minister David Cunliffe told them to investigate further.Jones said he wasn't briefed by Cunliffe or immigration officials.''I don't remember ever talking to David Cunliffe about this guy ... I don't ever recall being briefed by the immigration department on this issue. And the man was a resident as far as I was concerned, as I recall.''He added: ''Um, in fairness it's four years on. Without having access to the file I just can't fully recollect. But what I do know is that there was always a mystery as to whether the man was who he says he was. Those were allegations.''He was aware of the Interpol red notices - issued because the Chinese government ordered arrest warrants for embezzlement.''Yes, yes that was referred to [in Yang's case file]. And that related to allegations that the Chinese government, as I recall, was making.''Jones said his decision to approve Yan's citizenship was based on ''humanitarian grounds'' but will not elaborate until the trial concludes. A verdict is likely on Thursday.
"Humanitarian grounds" covers a multitude of sins. It will be interesting to see what Jones comes up with when he further breaks his silebce after Liu's passport fraud trial continues.
But surely, if there were ANY doubts that Liu was not who he said he was, and that there were arrest notices filed with Interpol, that must also cast doubt on the claims of "humanitarian grounds" which Liu was had advanced.
7 comments:
"Humanitarian grounds" covers a multitude of sins.
What do you mean by that? Sins?
Also,
"that must also cast doubt on the claims of "humanitarian grounds" which Liu was had advanced."
Did Lui 'advance' those claims to Jones? No, an official did.
You are losing this argument, KS. Jones is clean, you are going to look nasty as a result of your breathless excitement here.
'Going' to look nasty? IS nasty, more like. Just check out the archives of this blog.
Actually Anon, according to Barry Soper on Newstalk ZB a few minutes ago, officials told Jones that the "humanitarian grounds" that Liu was claiming had no basis.
As for "losing the arguement"; I think not. Tumeke reckons Jones is toast and Bryce Edwards reckons that Shearer is getting weighed down with political baggage. You'd hardly call either of those sources friends of the Right.
"Officials" told Jones? Which officials, Keeping Stock? The same ones that told Jones that the claims were genuine? You're throwing everything you can at this, without any sort of substantiation.
Perhaps you do have details? How about providing them, or are you just serving as a tabloid blog for the Right? If so, shame on you.
"Tumeke reckons Jones is toast" - you make me laugh, KS. Fancy citing Tumeke as a commentator when you have so often disparaged his views as 'extreme'. You dodge and weave, pick and choose as it suits you. You won't discuss Matt McCarten's views, but you will ite Bomber on this issue? Hypocrisy.
Bryce reckons Shearer is weighed down by political baggage" What? That means nothing at all. Not a thing. Think for yourself man!
"...officials told Jones that the "humanitarian grounds" that Liu was claiming had no basis."
How would DIA officials have any idea about that?
"if there were ANY doubts that Liu was not who he said he was, and that there were arrest notices filed with Interpol, that must also cast doubt on the claims of "humanitarian grounds" which Liu was had advanced."
Why? I'm actually changing my mind here and am thinking that Jones is in the clear, in spite of the shameless right-wing smear job that's occurred here.
Feeding frenzy from the left tag team of Gag and Holden.
Seek and destroy.
Must make the popular blogs of reason unreadable for others.
At last, debate from both sides of the ledger on Keeping Stock. I like the new look and will link this blog to my friend's Facebook pages. Thanks Keeping Stock.
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