Call to stand aside Opposition police spokesman

Opposition Leader Richard Court was today urged to immediately stand aside police spokesman George Cash while police examine matters in which he is directly involved.

Police Minister Graham Edwards said today that police had confirmed they were examining the unauthorised release by police of a juvenile's criminal record.

Mr Cash had made the position much worse by making the record public, without even taking proper precautions to keep the name confidential.

The Aboriginal Legal Service and others have suggested that this could be in breach of the law.

"The police examination must inevitably raise questions about Mr Cash's role in receiving and publicising the record," Mr Edwards said.

"The prospect of police examining matters in which the shadow minister for police is involved is intolerable and requires immediate action by the Leader of the Opposition."

Mr Edwards said Mr Cash had given the media at least two versions of how he had obtained the criminal record.  One version was it was handed to him by a police officer.  Another was that it was put under his door.

"Whatever the actual circumstance it is essential that Mr Cash be stood down by the Leader of the Opposition at least until a police report is available."