Former Children's Commissioner appears in court

OLIVIA HEMUS

FORMER MP: Mr McClay was in Parliament for 15 years before being appointed Children's Commissioner.

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Former National MP and Children's Commissioner Roger McClay will deny fraud charges of over $21,000 laid against him in relation to his work with charities and use of his ex-MP perk of taxpayer-subsidised flights, his lawyer said today.

McClay, 65, was accused of 56 charges of dishonestly using a document to obtain a pecuniary advantage when he appeared in Auckland District Court today.

One charge was withdrawn.

He made a brief appearance in the dock, where he stood silently.

McClay's lawyer, Guyon Foley, told the court that his client would "deny all the charges".

Mr Foley noted that the charges were in some disarray with duplications involved.

McClay was remanded on bail to appear on April 23.

He left court refusing all comment.

The charge sheets show McClay is alleged to have committed dishonesty offences under the Crimes Act by dishonestly claiming $10,581.30 from Parliamentary services through his allowable 90 percent discount on domestic air fares.

He is charged with dishonestly claiming mileage worth $6076.10 from Keep New Zealand Beautiful, $4778.33 from World Vision and $448.70 from Heart Children.

The charges are laid indictably

McClay's son Tim was in court with his father and was visibly upset as they left the building. It was earlier incorrectly reported by Stuff.co.nz that McClay was with another son, Todd.

McClay was in Parliament for 15 years. He was later appointed Children's Commissioner and was honoured with a Queen's Service Order for his public service and work with children.

- with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News