Lawyer Linda Clark will take temporary leave as a TVNZ board director, as she represents former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming, including in a legal injunction involving news media companies.
TVNZ’s board had “complete confidence in Linda’s professional judgment and capabilities” but a “potential for a conflict” existed ...
The injunction was granted on Friday as Clark sought an urgent High Court order to prevent publication of the nature of the allegedly objectionable material found on McSkimming’s work computer, which ultimately led to his resignation.
McSkimming had been suspended on full pay since December while under a separate criminal investigation – the nature of which also cannot be reported currently for legal reasons – following a complaint by a member of the public.
NZ Herald publisher NZME, Stuff and RNZ are all opposing the injunction that was granted on Friday.
TVNZ is not a party, but it may join the legal case at some stage.
Regardless, like all news media companies, it is covered by the rules of the injunction.
“Linda is entitled to represent clients in her capacity as a partner at Dentons,” Carruthers said in a statement to Media Insider.
“As with any directorship, conflicts or perceived conflicts need to be managed when they arise and Linda has been scrupulous in her disclosures while maintaining client confidentiality.
“In this instance, there is no current conflict but the potential for a conflict exists.”
NZ Herald
