Police have revealed the details of their investigation into a former media advisor for the Prime Minister who was accused of taking covert recordings of sex workers.
In the fresh disclosures, police said officers seized two phones and examined them before allowing the owner to delete the contents.
Today, police said any new information regarding the “serious” and “concerning” alleged behaviour of the press secretary working in the Prime Minister’s Office would be “thoroughly considered”.
Luxon’s acting deputy chief press secretary, Michael Forbes, resigned yesterday after allegations emerged that he made non-consensual audio recordings of sessions with Wellington sex workers last July.
It was also alleged that the former journalist had images on his phone of women exercising at a gym, shopping, and of women getting dressed filmed through a window.
A day of statements and revelations leaves one big question: Who, exactly, was told about the allegations around Michael Forbes? (Source: 1News)
The allegations came to light when it was reported by Stuff yesterday.
Forbes was stood down on Tuesday and resigned from his post yesterday morning.
In a statement this afternoon, Wellington District Manager Criminal Investigations, Detective Inspector John Van Den Heuvel, told 1News police received a report from the manger of a brothel in the capital regarding audio recordings of sex workers on July 12 last year.
Van Den Heuvel said officers seized two phones – one personal and one for work – following a search the next day.
Officers examining the devices discovered “a number of photos and video of women in public spaces, and what appears to be women in private addresses, taken from a distance away”, Van Den Heuvel said.
“Police considered the available evidence and concluded it did not meet the requirements for criminality, and therefore charges could not be filed.”
Van Den Heuvel said Forbes – then working for Social Development Minister Louise Upston – spoke with police, during which he admitted to taking the images and recordings.
“He was reminded of the inappropriateness of his behaviour and encouraged to seek help,” he said.
“He also deleted the images in the presence of police.”
Van Den Heuvel said police acknowledged that Forbes’ behaviour “was extremely distressing for the women involved”, adding that “any new information will be thoroughly considered”.
“Based on the initial report and available evidence to date, police are unable to progress the matter further.”
‘An absolute shock’ – Luxon
The Prime Minister told reporters earlier today that it was an “absolute shock” to learn of the allegations levelled at Forbes.
He said Forbes’ conduct had fallen “unacceptably short of the standards that I expect from our people”.
“My sympathy is with the women who raised these allegations and were made to feel unsafe due to the actions of this person.”
“We had no awareness, no knowledge of it. The concerns were raised with us by a journalist at four o’clock on Tuesday,” he said, adding it’s a “complete shock to all of us”.
Forbes was immediately stood down and resigned the following morning.
‘Deep dive’ on employment checks, security clearance — DIA
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) told 1News all Ministerial Services staff were subjected to “standard pre-employment checks” when first employed.
“This includes reference checking, a serious misconduct check (if they have recently worked in the public sector) and a Ministry of Justice Criminal Conviction Check. In addition, security clearances are required for some positions in Ministers’ offices.”
The DIA confirmed its current processes “were followed as normal” when Forbes was initially hired.
However, the checks were not required for his later temporary assignment to the Prime Minister’s Office, which it called “standard practice for temporary internal secondments”.
“The Department is conducting a deep dive on its policy around employment checks and security clearance for Ministerial Services staff to determine if any changes are needed to ensure information provided is fulsome and that checks and clearances are reviewed as appropriate.”
The DIA said all staff, through the Code of Conduct, were obliged to “uphold standards of integrity and conduct, including in our actions and behaviours toward others”.
It added that there were added responsibilities for National Security Clearance Holders, including the disclosure of “changes in personal circumstances”.
“The Department has zero tolerance for actions that make others feel unsafe. We acknowledge staff may be unsettled or feel their safety may have been compromised. We are committed to supporting our people and ensuring they feel, and are, safe at work.”
‘A downward spiral’
In a statement, Forbes offered his “sincerest apologies to the women I have harmed”.
“In the past, I was in a downward spiral due to unresolved trauma and stress, and when confronted with the impacts of my behaviour a year ago, I sought professional help, which is something I wish I had done much earlier.
“What I failed to do then was make a genuine attempt to apologise. Instead, I tried to move on without offering those I had harmed the acknowledgement, accountability, or amends they deserved. I recognise how wrong that was.”
Forbes added he has spent the past year reflecting on “how I may have affected these women’s sense of safety” and “ability to go about their lives and work”.
“No one should ever feel violated, unsafe, or disrespected, especially in spaces where they should feel secure, and I am truly sorry for contributing to an environment where women may have felt otherwise.
“The therapy I’ve received over the past year has helped me to understand the roots of my behaviour and begin addressing the patterns that led to it. This is a long-term commitment to change that I take very seriously.
“I understand that my past actions may have undermined the trust people place in me. So, I have resigned from my job to focus on the work I need to do.”
