The former head of New Zealand immigration wrote a statement against accused fraudster Aaron Nattrass which had been scripted by the ICAC, the District Court heard yesterday.
Defence barrister Andrew Raffell suggested that New Zealand former general manager of immigration Peter Jones was directed by the Independent Commission Against Corruption on what to put in his statement against Nattrass.
Mr Raffell called the procedure 'unorthodox' and claimed Mr Jones had 'followed a script' which originated from the ICAC.
He suggested the retired immigration head wrote what 'you had been asked' and had been 'provided with a draft . . . written for you by [ICAC investigator] Eric Fletcher'.
The 1995 document related to events which took place in 1988. Mr Raffell said the 'events were so long ago that Mr Jones needed help to remember'.
Mr Jones denied his statement for the ICAC 'follows the script'.
