NZ PM's Office Scandal: Aide Resigns After Allegations of Non-Consensual Recordings

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon's office was rocked by allegations against a temporary staff member, Michael Forbes, who allegedly recorded compromising images and audio of women without their consent. Police investigated a similar complaint last year from a Wellington brothel, but the case did not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution. The Prime Minister's Office only learned of the allegations on Tuesday afternoon after being contacted by a journalist. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the allegations were deemed "serious and concerning." Forbes subsequently resigned. The incident raises questions about the handling of the initial police investigation and whether ministerial services or the Prime Minister's Office should have been alerted sooner. In a statement to the Herald, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said he was "first made aware of the issue late on Tuesday afternoon after a media inquiry." Forbes, in a statement, apologized to the women involved and acknowledged the harm he caused. The incident highlights the importance of consent and the need for transparency in such matters. The case underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing privacy concerns with the need for accountability in high-profile positions.