The Moyle Report. (Press, 17 April 1978)

On 17 April 1978, the inquiry led by Sir Alfred North into the "Moyle incident" reviewed significant evidence regarding an event on the night of 17 June 1975, involving then-Cabinet Minister Colin Moyle. The investigation stemmed from an encounter between Mr Moyle and police constable Comer in a Wellington street, reported to feature suspicious interactions. Constable Comer, on plain-clothes duty, saw a car with its park lights on and approached it. Inside was Mr Moyle, who invited the constable into his vehicle. Initially, Mr Moyle claimed he was waiting for a friend, but when confronted with the constable's identity, he identified himself as a Member of Parliament. The constable documented the encounter, noting that the vehicle belonged to the New Zealand Post Office. The next day, Chief Superintendent B. Kelly recounted a conversation with Mr Moyle, revealing that the Minister was involved in research regarding a proposed homosexual bill and intended to meet an unidentified individual about this topic. This exchange raised concerns within the police about the implications of the meeting. It was noted that inviting an unknown individual into a vehicle at such an hour could be deemed indiscreet and could lead to misinterpretations. The inquiry report summarised various police testimonies, and particularly addressed Deputy-Commissioner R. J. Walton's meetings with Mr Moyle. Walton explained that an official investigation revealed no criminal activity but acknowledged that the incident's circumstances could cast suspicion. Although no offence was apparent, he counselled Mr Moyle on the potential public perception of the event. During his discussion with the Deputy-Commissioner, Mr Moyle provided information about his motivations for the meeting, which were related to his work on the forthcoming legislation. He expressed concerns over the confidentiality of his interactions with homosexuals, admitting he had arranged the meeting without knowing the participant’s identity. The file detailing the incident was retained privately, ensuring no information was entered into official records due to the lack of any established offence. Although Mr Moyle's actions were not criminal, there were considerable reservations about the appropriateness of a Cabinet Minister engaging in such behaviour, especially given the public’s views of similar situations. Following the inquiry, Mr Moyle sought confirmation from the police regarding his lack of any previous legal troubles, which prompted further discussions with police officials about the incident. The inquiry revealed how police and governmental procedures interacted with sensitive issues, particularly around homosexuality and public officials, and highlighted the complexities of discretion in matters involving public figures. The situation, while resolved without any charges or formal actions, underscored the potential ramifications for Mr Moyle's political career and the perceptions surrounding government officials' conduct.

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