Latest news with #allegations
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Watch: Christopher Luxon faces questions as press secretary Michael Forbes resigns
The Prime Minister says his sympathy is with the women who raised allegations against one of his senior press secretaries, and he has zero tolerance for any behaviour that makes women feel unsafe. The sudden resignation of one of the Prime Minister's senior press secretaries is raising questions about why Christopher Luxon's office was not told about a police investigation last year. Michael Forbes quit on Wednesday , and has apologised after accusations he recorded audio of sessions with sex workers, had intrusive photos of women in public, and footage of women shot through windows at night. Ministerial Services says it only found out about the complaint on Tuesday, and is working urgently to find out why details of the investigation were not passed on to the minister he was working for at the time, or to the Prime Minister's office Prime Minister Christopher Luxon takes questions at the Beehive after the resignation of press secretary Michael Forbes. Photo: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CNN
7 days ago
- General
- CNN
Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges
British comedian and actor Russell Brand pled not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault at a court in London on Friday. In April, 49-year-old Brand was charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, and one count of oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault. The charges relate to four separate women. The alleged assaults took place between 1999 and 2005. He previously denied the allegations. This is a developing story and will be updated.
CBC
23-05-2025
- CBC
Prince Edward Island girl reports man who sexually abused her for months, landing him in jail
P.E.I.'s provincial court chief judge commended the girl for coming forward with the allegations against Steven Douglas Arsenault, 40. He'll spend the next two years in jail for what he did. CBC's Nicola MacLeod has the details.
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Jevon McSkimming 'strongly denies' inappropriate firearms process vetting allegations
Former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Photo: Getty Images Former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming says he "strongly denies" any allegations he acted inappropriately in relation to the vetting process for firearms licences. McSkimming resigned as the country's second most powerful cop last Monday amid a four-month investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and police. His resignation came after Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was recently informed of allegations of a "very serious nature", separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended. On Thursday, RNZ asked police for comment on allegations that McSkimming had interfered with the vetting process for firearms licences. Do you know more? Email A statement from the office of Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said police were "aware of the allegation to which you refer". "It is being looked into as part of a wider investigation into concerns that have been raised. That is still underway. "The Police Commissioner was first made aware of those concerns in March and directed the investigation occur. This is a separate issue to the criminal investigation into Jevon McSkimming." In response to questions from RNZ, McSkimming released a statement through his lawyer. "Mr McSkimming strongly denies any allegation he acted in any way inappropriately in relation to the vetting process for firearms licenses. "As the overall operational lead on firearms, at one time Mr McSkimming raised issues about how the vetting process was being applied. He took those concerns to the Executive Leadership Team and, following discussion at the ELT, the process was subsequently modified." In response to questions from RNZ, Mitchell said in a statement he was aware "some concerns have been brought forward". He said the Police Commissioner was "looking into the matter". There were no timeframes for the various investigations at this time. The firearms regulator was established following the Christchurch Mosque attacks in 2019. According to its website, it has three main functions including implementing the firearms licensing system, managing the Firearms Registry and educating people to enable compliance and promote the safe use of firearms. RNZ revealed last week pornography found on McSkimming's work computer is being investigated as alleged objectionable material. He declined to comment on the allegations through his lawyer. Last Friday evening, his lawyer Linda Clark was granted a rare "superinjunction" by Justice Grau that prohibited reporting that disclosed the nature of the allegedly objectionable material, as well as the existence of the injunction itself, until 2.15pm on Monday. On Monday, Justice Gwyn held a teleconference from the High Court at Wellington to discuss the injunction with Clark, the police, and legal counsel for RNZ, Stuff and NZME. Following that conference, the order prohibiting publication of the nature of the allegedly objectionable material was continued - but the order prohibiting the existence of the injunction was not continued, meaning RNZ can now report the fact of McSkimming's application and the interim result. Chambers said in a statement last week that he appreciated that the resignation of McSkimming raised questions, but said the criminal investigation couldn't be "compromised by commenting on the circumstances of it at this point". "However, I can say that I have always made it very clear that trust and confidence in police is a top priority for me as commissioner," Chambers said. "I take very seriously anything that puts trust and confidence and the reputation of police at risk and will act to address it. "I have high expectations of all police staff and will address it if those standards are not met, irrespective of rank or role." In announcing McSkimming's resignation last week, Mitchell said McSkimming resigned before he could be dismissed. "I instructed the Public Service Commission to commence the process to remove Mr McSkimming from office after allegations of a very serious nature recently came to light, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended." He did not say what the allegations were. Mitchell said the Policing Act was "very clear". "A deputy commissioner of police must be a 'fit and proper' person. They are rightly held to the highest standards of conduct and this new information called into serious question Mr McSkimming's fitness for office. "When Mr McSkimming was invited to respond to these allegations he chose to resign. Mr McSkimming's resignation has confirmed my view that his continuation in the role was untenable." Police advised Mitchell that their investigations into McSkimming would continue, notwithstanding his resignation. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
National Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
WNBA star breaks silence on ‘hurtful' affair allegations with former team's CEO
After bombshell allegations of an affair with her former team's married CEO, Sophie Cunningham has fired back. Article content Article content The ex-Phoenix Mercury star is denying the claims made against her in a lawsuit filed earlier this month by Gene Traylor, the director of security for the Suns. Article content In the lawsuit, it is alleged that Cunningham was engaged in an affair with Josh Bartelstein, the CEO of the Mercury and the NBA's Phoenix Suns. Article content Cunningham, who was traded to the Indiana Fever earlier this year, broke her silence on the claims with a statement posted Wednesday on social media, saying that the allegations are 'untrue and extremely hurtful' and that she doesn't even know Traylor. Article content 'I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusation made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do not know and have never met,' Cunningham said. 'Let me be clear his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful. Article content — Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) May 21, 2025 Article content Article content 'I am here to compete, play basketball at the highest level and win for my team and my fans, while inspiring other women that they can do or be anything they ever dream of becoming. I hold myself to the highest integrity and my values are what guide me on and off the court. Article content Article content 'To the media who reported on this, I have always spoken the truth and been transparent with any press inquiry. In this instance it feels irresponsible that I was never asked for comment about the accusation before several clickbait stories went to print. Article content 'I will not let untrue gossip take my focus away from what is most important to me which is basketball, my supportive team and my fans. Article content The 28-year-old Cunningham played six seasons with the Mercury after the franchise selected her in the second round of the 2019 WNBA draft. Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sophie Cunningham (@sophie_cham)
