Thompson and Clark

Thompson & Clark Investigations Ltd, known as Thompson and Clark or TCIL is a New Zealand private investigation agency founded in 2003 by principals Nicolas Guy 'Nick' Thompson and Gavin Shane Clark.[1] Thompson and Clark are former police officers and currently licensed private investigators[2] and the company positions itself as being expert in ‘issue motivated groups’, a label it has applied to various environmental, animal rights, peace and other ‘activist’ groups. [2]

2018 government issues

In March 2018 allegations emerged that Southern Response, a government-owned company tasked with settling claims by AMI Insurance policy holders in the aftermath of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, had improperly employed Thompson and Clark to investigate insurance claimants and an enquiry was launched by the State Services Commission.[3]

In June 2018, details emerged of inappropriate dealings between at least one New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) staff member and Thompson and Clark.[4][5] The earlier inquiry was expanded to a whole-of-government inquiry, with MPI and SIS having launched their own internal investigations.[6]

The December 2018 report found evidence of Breaches of the Public Service Code of conduct by Crown-owned Southern Response, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, New Zealand Transport Agency and Crown Law and Ministry of Social Development in relation to the companies.[2] Thompson and Clark released a press release saying that 'the report has also confirmed that much of the work we conducted for government agencies was within their SSC code of conduct and we are pleased the report has confirmed our view throughout that "there was no evidence of widespread surveillance by external security consultants on behalf of government agencies".'

As a result of the State Services Commission report, three independent enquiries were conducted by the NZ Police, [7] the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).[8] All three enquiries found there had been no breach of the law or regulations.

References

1. Circuit, Stuff. "Unseen". interactives.stuff.co.nz.
2. https://www.ssc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Report%20of%20the%20inquiry%20into%20the%20use%20of%20external%20security%20consultants%20by%20government%20agencies.pdf Inquiry into the use of external security consultants by Government Agencies
3. [e-mail], Chelsea Boyle Reporter, NZ Herald (7 March 2018). "Crown entity accused of spying on insurance claimants says it needed security to protect staff" – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
4. [e-mail] @bryce_edwards, Bryce Edwards Bryce Edwards is a lecturer in Politics at Victoria University (21 June 2018). "Political Roundup: Thompson and Clark has been doing the dirty work of the state" – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
5. "Government probe: The SIS and Thompson and Clark emails that sparked an investigation". 19 June 2018 – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
6. Bennett, Claire Trevett and Lucy (19 June 2018). "Close relationship between public service and Thompson and Clark concerning, State Services Minister Chris Hipkins says" – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
7. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/outcome-investigation-complaint-state-services-commission
8. https://www.sfo.govt.nz/thompson-and-clark-investigations-ltd

Further reading

• Companies register entry for Thompson & Clark Investigations Ltd
• Thompson and Clark's press release