Banks Guilty – let’s keep the triumphalism to a quiet din

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And John Banks is guilty.

Good riddance I say. His staccato deliverance was a Bansky trait that always made him comical even when he was getting misty eyed for the animals he loved so much. He infamously told Alt TV once that he cared more about the penguins than he did about the people. I believe that to be true.

My loathing of Banks has passed as I have gotten older, not because I find his divisive politics less offensive, it’s just I ended up pitying him. He’s the batty uncle you only see at family gatherings that no one wants to talk to.

This guilty verdict will demolish Banks. His self created identity of a good honest cheeky Banksie with an honour code who came from the wrong side of the tracks routine will be deeply hurt by this in a way that doesn’t require the usual triumphalism that we on the Left sometimes like to indulge in.

John Banks will be doing more self-flagellation than any of us could ever mete out to him.

We have our scalp, John should be allowed to return to his family and lick his wounds. The next fight for the election is well under way.

41 COMMENTS

  1. Bomber does this automatically means he’s ‘removed’ from Parliament?
    And also that a bi election has to be held in Epsom?

    Or can he appeal and delay matters?

      • Why not name the right-wing “celebrity”, Phil? It kind of strikes at the credibility of this…

        Anyway, not sure what his team are so cocky about. A court may not discharge an offender without conviction unless the court is satisfied that the direct and indirect consequences of a conviction would be out of all proportion to the gravity of the offence.

        I anticipate some very colourful argument from his team about the consequences, but I think the offence is quite grave, especially in light of the fact that Banks continues to deny that he is guilty of anything, and the way he has acted throughout as an MP for Epsom. There is a strong public interest in a conviction being entered so that other high-ranking public officials can’t pull the “I can’t remember” card again.

        I am hopeful this will not escape the sentencing judge.

        • Shouldn’t John Key be called as a character witness on 1st August to plead for clemency in sentencing?

          Mr Key has shown the utmost faith in Mr Banks as a man of integrity, honesty and a pillock of the community.

          When your face is against the wall, it’s good to know you have friends behind you.

          Isn’t that right Judith? And Maurice? And Mr Wodehouse?

  2. A few QUIBS

    A government held in place by a fraudster

    A Budget brought buy a fraudster

    No wonder National can’t balance the books – they have John “fraud” Banks

    Were the money gone John, did John lie about the total John, … John, John?

    Like all Banks, John sees his role as ripping off the public.

    A cup of tea, and Mr Key can give you anything.

    Hold on, here comes Banks – one fraud a day, keeps the opposition away.

    National – shut up – we defrauded our way here fair and square.

    ACT – When we’re not fraudsters, or stealing identities – we want you to screw your sister.

    ACT – bringing new meaning to crooks and thieves.

    ACT – Rich white men, who like nothing better than punishing the poor and stopping hand outs – What was your conviction for again John, a hand what??

    • Will Banks be treated like Sir Doug Graham, or Taito Phillip Field?

      White (collar) man justice, or dark-skinned (coloured) justice?

    • Do Taito Phillip Field, abuse of funds to support the distribution of the Pledge Card, failure to declare contributors to trusts after making so much noise about others doing the same now have a hollow ring to them. There are so many other examples.

      Your sanctimony and hypocrisy know no bounds.

      • I had no time for that racist Enoch Powell when I lived in the UK. You seem to be of a similar name and ilk.

        There are plenty of examples where white-skinned “defendants” are slapped with a wet busticket, while brown-skinned defendants go to jail.

        Let’s reserve judgement on John Banks and see exactly how he is treated by the judiciary on August 1st. In the meantime, let him prop up Key’s National croney-corrupted coalition. It’s good to let the people of New Zealand see what really greases the wheels of power in New Zealand.

        I’m reminded of a quotation by Peter Dunne, who sold his vote on GCSB, that he was a ‘willing seller accommodating a willing buyer.’ Sums it up nicely Enoch.

  3. Maybe his sentencing date of August 1st, means JK can ‘get away’ with not having to have a bi-election?
    Any one know the technicalities involved here?

    • There would be no bi-election in any case, as it’s too close to the general election.

      • Correct if a seat becomes vacant 6 months before an election it requirwes a 75% vote of all mps in parliament for a by election to be held

    • Two things relevant to this case.

      Firstly, as others have said, there would not be a by-election anyway because of the proximity to the election (and that would be the same if the conviction were entered now). Also, it is actually more beneficial for the left to have Banks resign and NOT have a by-election (since either National or ACT would almost certainly win and return the government majority).
      But the big thing to note about the date is that (as I understand it) Parliament will rise for the election campaign BEFORE the 1st of August, meaning that Banks can sit in Parliament right up until it dissolves and participate fully.

    • 1 x $25,000, 2 x $25,000 and 3, 1 x $15,000.

      Yup you’re right three strikes and he should be in jail. If ACT’s 3 strikes policy is invoked.

  4. And while we’re about keeping quiet let’s make sure the apoplexy doctors get over to Whale Oil and down to Farrar.

  5. Oh BOY it looks like the crocked right have played ‘their get out of jail free card’.
    Banks seeming can stay in Parliament as he’s NOT be convicted (YET). And surprise surprise his conviction hearing will be heard AFTER Parliament closes for the year-election.
    What an absolute crock and FIDDLE.
    Disgraceful !!
    Appalling……..

  6. Nicely put Martyn.

    I’m sure Banks is quietly devastated right now. He was once so important, and will now be utterly irrelevant. Nothing is harder for his ilk.

    More importantly, this is fantastic news for Epsom, and the rest of the country as it almost certainly spells the end of the Act party. I guess John Key is about to get a lot cosier with Colin Craig 🙂

  7. Well said Martyn, he’s done wrong and must pay.
    But hopeful excessive gloating from the left will be kept to a minimum.

  8. Banksie bye bye. Parting is such sweet sorrow (nah, not really) enjoy your early self inflicted retirement.

  9. I saw this post on Radiolive Facebook Post

    So…not only is Banks corrupt, but it appears the judiciary is as well.

    Why wait till August 1st for sentence? Justice Wylie seems to be propping up a Tory government, to prevent an dearly election. Sentence him NOW. Enter his conviction NOW. End corruption NOW. And a home detention sentence?

    How long did it take for Taito Phillip Field to be convicted and charged? Is it double standards?

    • First even without banks the govt still has a majority.
      Second even if sentence was passed today a by election will not be held as it can not be held if there is less than six months to the election.

    • Before you call the judiciary corrupt on this one, you’d need to show that the length of time for the home detention report was significantly different to the time taken with other guilty parties. I don’t have this information available, but any criminal lawyer would know.

  10. On 4 August 2009, (4/8/09) Field was found guilty of 26 charges at the High Court in Auckland. The ten member jury found Field guilty of 11 of the 12 bribery and corruption charges, and 15 of 23 charges relating to attempting to pervert the course of justice.[1]

    On 6 October 2009 (6/10/09), Field was jailed for six years on corruption charges, with the sentencing judge saying his offending threatened the foundation of democracy and justice.

    On 5/6/14 Banks was pronounced guilty as charged, but his won’t go through until 1/8/14. So – no corruption in terms of dates.

    Did the corruption charge apply to Field immediately on 4/8/09 – ie could he have been ejected from Parliament at that date? Can’t find this online? Any suggestions?

  11. He’s been around the traps for 25 years, he must be aware of a few skeletons in quite a few cupboards.

    We know he has a vindictive streak and he’s not adverse to kicking any target that’s fallen to the ground.

    If he feels singled out or unfairly targeted I wonder if he’ll squeal on those he might believe have also transgressed in a similar way.

    • Thinking further, quite aside from his vote, that might have contributed to the reasons Dishonest John and others never cut him loose – and still do not out rightly condemn him.

  12. While justice has been served as indeed it should have been, I’m amazed that another, perhaps even more important, question is scarcely being asked at all — when the police were presented with exactly the same evidence, why did they actively decide not to follow it up?

    • Yes, if it was not for Graham McCready this may have all been swept under the carpet. Can we really trust our Police Force to be competent?

  13. Under the present rules of the game, will he keep or lose his post-parliamentary privileges?

    He’s been judged guilty while he is an MP, even though the offence happened before. Has he brought ‘shame’ on parliament? (Is that possible?!)

    Meantime, I agree with Martyn. He should be allowed the same time out as the considerably worse scoundrels who robbed so many Kiwis of peace of mind and safety in retirement. (Those fine denizens of the financial mysteries world – may poverty be their lot for all their days remaining.)

    Gloating seems both mean and petty. Thanks for saying, Martyn.

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