Pressure is building on Prime Minister John Key, with the official watchdog for the country's spy agencies announcing an inquiry into revelations in Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics.
More than 1000 messages between Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater and National Party activist Aaron Bhatnagar have been posted online.
There is some concern what the Inspector-General of Security is looking into - alleged special treatment for Slater when he got an Official Information Act request back from the SIS extra-fast.
Slater wrote in one of the messages: "I OIAd the briefing minutes and notes for Goff's SIS briefing it has been expedited [sic].
"It is devastating for Goff I am told."
Mr Key says he does not know anything about it.
- FULL INTERVIEW: Key didn't know Collins passed info to Slater
- Patrick Gower's interview with John Key
There are also messages on how Bhatnagar tipped off Slater to a security flaw in Labour's website that allowed access to its membership database.
Slater wrote: "This will be massive... Just have to be careful to cover accusations of hacking."
When asked if National knew Slater was planning a hit on Labour after accessing its database, Slater replied he was "working with senior nats for release [sic]".
Asked to keep quiet, Mr Bhatnagar said that wouldn't be a problem, but that he: "wouldn't mind a wee wink and nod one day in appreciation".
Mr Bhatnagar was later appointed by Justice Minister Judith Collins to the Real Estate Agents Authority board, which is a $20,000 a year role.
3 News
source: newshub archive
