MBIE head Nic Blakeley's position now 'untenable' - Labour

The Labour Party has toughened its stance on chastened ministry head Nic Blakeley, saying his position is now untenable.Parliament's Privileges Committee last week found the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in contempt, ruling that Blakeley, as chief executive, and a former colleague had "deliberately misled MPs" about the status of a bungled multi-million dollar IT project.At the time, Labour leader Chris Hipkins stopped short of calling for Blakeley to face further punishment.But in a fresh statement - published almost a week later - Labour MP Phil Twyford said Blakeley's position was "untenable"."Nic Blakeley must be accountable for his actions," he said.Twyford said the finding of the Privileges Committee must not be treated as "business as usual"."Parliament must be able to hold the Executive and public service to account, and that requires truthful and accurate information."This is about maintaining public confidence in our democratic institutions. When a senior public servant misleads Parliament, there must be accountability."The call is a step up from Labour's position just last week and that of the Privileges Committee itself.Labour MP Phil Twyford says the finding of the Privileges Committee must not be treated as "business as usual".RNZ / Samuel RillstoneThe panel of MPs - including two from Labour - was scathing of Blakeley's conduct but did not recommend any further consequences: "We intend that our findings will be of sufficient consequence on their own."Speaking then, Hipkins told reporters the ruling was "incredibly disappointing".But asked whether he wanted to see more punishment, Hipkins suggested that was not necessary."I think the finding in itself will send quite a few reverberations through the public sector," he said.The committee's ruling prompted Blakeley to offer his resignation to Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, but it was turned down.Roche said he took several factors into account when weighing that decision, including that Blakeley had been fresh into his job and had unreservedly apologised for his actions.In a statement last week, Blakeley said the committee's findings were "extremely serious" and he was committed to rebuilding trust."I accept responsibility for this failure. Accountability rests with me. Parliament, Ministers and the public are entitled to expect better from MBIE."My focus now is making sure a failure of this nature does not happen again."During a select committee appearance in March, Blakeley was asked about the progress of a biometric upgrade programme but failed to disclose that the project had already been cancelled.In its findings, the Privileges Committee said officials would have known their incomplete answers would leave MPs with a false impression."The limited manner in which the ministry answered questions... was intentional," it said."We find that the ministry deliberately misled the Education and Workforce Committee and, in doing so, committed a contempt."The report said it was "alarming" that neither of the senior public servants were aware they could have requested to provide evidence in private or secret."We wish to be very clear: officials appearing before select committees have an absolute obligation to tell the truth. Being truthful, responsible, and acting in good faith is the very essence of public service."To fail to meet these obligations is an insult to the entire public service."