Police have stood by their decision to raid the home of TV3 reporter Heather du Plessis-Allan this morning, saying that, while the raid may have seemed heavy-handed, they only had the public’s best interests at heart, and were merely trying to keep any weapons as far away from du Plessis-Allan’s husband, Barry Soper, as possible.
Du Plessis-Allan, whose surname is frustrating to type over and over, illegally purchased a gun from gun retailer Gun City in October for a story on Story, in an attempt to draw attention to the lack of gun control around online purchases.
But despite her motivations, police are moving forward with an investigation into her purchase, which may lead to criminal charges.
MPs and other news media input devices sounded off about that process today, mostly condemning police for their actions against someone merely trying to expose a loophole.
But Detective Inspector Chris Cahill, of Auckland City’s criminal investigation branch, says that the search wasn’t about du Plessis-Allan, but rather about her husband, Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper, who former and current colleagues have described as “unhinged.”
“Buying a gun for an expose on gun loopholes is one thing,” said Cahill, in comments this afternoon, “but buying a gun and putting it within reach of Barry Soper is quite another.”
Cahill said that Soper was “well-known” to police, in that he was “on the radio,” and “at some points on the TV.”
“I think everyone’s well aware, and we’ve had calls from those close to him to confirm this, that he shouldn’t be anywhere near a .22 caliber rifle,” he said. “Sure, if she’d had this mailed to a different address, it would be a different story, if you’d forgive the pun.”
“Please note that the pun was intentional, though,” he added, insisting journalists write it down multiple times.
Psychologists reached for comment have largely backed up the police’s rationale, saying that no one could possibly cover politics for as long as Barry Soper has and still be sane.