Minister Denies Knowledge of Allegations Against Former Police Deputy

Claims regarding former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming have led to a public dispute between New Zealand Minister Andrew Mitchell and former police chief Andrew Coster. Mitchell asserted that he was first informed of serious concerns about McSkimming on November 6, 2024, despite Coster’s claims suggesting otherwise.

Mitchell stated that last month, 36 emails containing allegations about McSkimming were sent to his office but were not seen by him. These emails, according to Mitchell, were forwarded directly to Coster’s office due to an established protocol. In an interview with TVNZ, Coster indicated that more individuals, including former police minister Chris Hipkins, were aware of the allegations prior to November. He disputed Mitchell’s assertion that he was unaware of the issues concerning McSkimming until late 2024, claiming that informal discussions about the matter took place throughout the year.

In response, Mitchell reiterated his stance during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report. He emphasized that had he been aware of the allegations earlier, he would have acted sooner. “Had Mr. Coster brought forward to me the fact that Jevon McSkimming had entered into an affair with a woman, known only as Ms. Z, that involved a significant age gap and power imbalance, I would have taken action immediately,” he stated.

Mitchell described the allegations involving McSkimming as very serious, asserting that it was not a matter he would discuss casually given McSkimming’s high-ranking position at the time. He expressed his commitment to safeguarding individuals within the police force, stating, “It’s a very serious matter. I take really seriously my job about protecting people.”

In a further development, Mitchell confirmed that the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) had informed the Public Service Commission (PSC) in October 2024 that they were evaluating information related to McSkimming. However, he noted that he was not privy to the specific nature of the information being assessed. “The IPCA were assessing information they had on him. The PSC did absolutely the right thing by instructing Mr. Coster to come and brief me on it,” Mitchell explained. He added that Coster did not voluntarily come to provide this briefing.

Mitchell concluded that once he learned about Ms. Z and the allegations concerning McSkimming, he took immediate action. The ongoing situation highlights the complexities within the police structure and the responsibilities of senior officials in handling sensitive allegations.