An electrical expert has heavily criticised police for the destruction of items of evidence found around Pike River Mine.
A Newshub investigation discovered police destroyed 52 exhibits that were found around the mine after it exploded.
The exhibits include parts of breathing units, an ESR report, clothing, and even earplugs – items that could have belonged to some of the 29 men.
Richard Healey, an electrical expert and supporter of the Pike River families, told The AM Show it’s incredibly disappointing.
“Truly unbelievable,” he told The AM Show.
“We talked to a high court judge last week, he simply refused to believe police would ever destroy evidence in such a case.”
National Party MP and former Police Minister Judith Collins, who was in charge of the force at the time of the explosion, said it wasn’t a big deal.
“I know that they don’t keep every single bit of evidence… I think the police, they are not the people that caused Pike River. They are not the people who made the terrible tragedy happen,” she said.
Labour Party MP Willie Jackson somewhat agreed, saying he believes police did the right thing.
“In terms of the Royal Commission they made the evidence available and they made it available for the inquiry so I’m not about to criticise the police today.”
Newshub.