AFP indicates Utegate email forged

 

IT forensics called in.

The Australian Federal Police has confirmed reports it attended a residence in the Canberra suburb of Calwell this morning, believed to be that of a senior treasury official in relation to the Utegate email scandal.

In a brief statement, an AFP spokesman said they had received a referral from the Office of the Attorney-General and attended the premises "this morning".

The spokesman was unable to confirm details of the owner.

"As it is related to an ongoing investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further. [But] we'll commence talking with officials ASAP," the AFP spokesman said.

ABC News earlier said IT specialists had been brought in amid reports the email at the centre of the Utegate scandal is a fake.

Their presence at the house has since been confirmed.

The scandal centres on whether the Government gave preferential treatment to a Brisbane car dealer that had sought to access funds from the OzCar taxpayer-funded trust set up after private sources of credit to car dealerships dried up.

An email is said to link the Government and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the scandal.

Rudd has vigorously denied its existence and branded it a forgery.

The Australian Federal Police has now confirmed this is likely the case.

"Preliminary results of forensic examinations indicate that the email referred to at the centre of this investigation has been created by a person or persons other than the purported author of the email," a revised AFP statement reads.

The scandal is being fiercely debated in Parliament today, backed by calls for resignations on both sides of politics.


AFP indicates Utegate email forged
"I find it hard to understand how someone who helped kickstart the internet in this country and who was an experienced lawyer who rigorously checked facts could have been so naive as to accept an ..."
By nate.cochrane
 
 
 
Comments: 8
BrettWinterford
Jun 22, 2009 4:00 PM
Should Malcolm fall on his sword?
Sams
Jun 22, 2009 8:00 PM
He needs to have a sword first :-)
pete84
Jun 23, 2009 4:47 AM
Honestly I don't know why Labor is so desperate to have Turnbull's resignation. To me it seems like they have a good chance to retain power at the next election up against Turnbull. With him sacked the Libs might get a decent leader in place
Rockfox
Jun 23, 2009 10:50 AM
Turnbull shouldn't resign. He's been the best (and most aggressive) liberal leader for a long time. What's an opposition leader's job other than questioning the government?
Sams
Jun 23, 2009 5:52 PM
Rockfox: "Turnbull shouldn't resign. He's been the best (and most aggressive) liberal leader for a long time."

If you think "most aggressive" = "best" then I guess you might take that opinion. Personally I think ignorant, careless, and aggressive people make better compost than leaders.

"What's an opposition leader's job other than questioning the government?"

There is a vast difference between asking a question and telling someone they should resign because they are guilty of corruption. Turnbull should check his facts before making such outrageous claims. The federal forensics were able to determine the email was a fraud very quickly - as I suspect any competent mail admin could have. Turnbull knows he is protected by parliamentary privilege, which is why he can get away with such unethical acts.
Maxxi
Jun 23, 2009 7:06 PM
Yep Rockfox: It seems that the Libs currently embrace not checking then quoting forgeries as a strategy to launch unfounded, illegal and misleading accusations and allegations in the Parliament of Australia... Yep, sounds logical and pretty OK practice to most Aussies...? Heck, why authenticate unseen sources, just accept a phone call from a journalist. Sounds loike a great way to run the country, should they get beck in again. The goold old "Let's lie to the whole nation" strategy... It seemed to work well for Sarah palin and the Republicans at the last USA election...
Oldsniper
Jun 24, 2009 1:06 AM
too Pete84 With Costello leaving politics at the next election. Turnball is the liberals best option to be returned to government, that is why Labor is targeting him.
The other liberal options in order are Hockey, Abott, Bishop.... a sad bunch if there ever was one.
nate.cochrane
Jun 25, 2009 3:33 PM
I find it hard to understand how someone who helped kickstart the internet in this country and who was an experienced lawyer who rigorously checked facts could have been so naive as to accept an e-mail as a smoking gun without first checking its provenance.
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