Police Minister Mark Mitchell refutes former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster's claims that he knew about the McSkimming allegations, calling them 'total nonsense'. Mitchell states that he was first informed of concerns regarding former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming on November 6, 2024. He clarifies that 36 emails containing allegations about McSkimming were sent to his office last month, but he never saw them due to a protocol that forwarded them directly to the Police Commissioner's office. Coster, in an interview with TVNZ, disputes Mitchell's lack of awareness and claims informal discussions about the matter occurred throughout 2024. Mitchell emphasizes that he had no prior knowledge of the allegations and would have taken immediate action if he had. He highlights the seriousness of the situation, involving an affair with a significant age and power imbalance, and the creation of a job for the involved individual. Mitchell also confirms that the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) was assessing information related to McSkimming in October 2024, and the Public Service Commission instructed Coster to brief him on the matter. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon supports Mitchell's stance, emphasizing the importance of addressing the police's culture, integrity, and standards, especially regarding the protection of a young woman who was let down by the police executive.
