The revelations about Tony Veitch in the Dominion Post yesterday were shocking.
- Shocking that he is alleged to have perpetrated this crime against his former girlfriend
- Shocking that he paid her $100,000 to keep quiet about it
- Shocking that he didn’t deny the allegation (in the public mind that’s an admission)
- Shocking that a high profile and popular presenter would stoop to injuring his girlfriend to the extent she was confined to a wheelchair.
This is if it’s true (see #3).
TVNZ and The Radio Network responded slowly to the news. They gave him the benefit of the doubt, for a day. That delay made them look like they condoned the behaviour.
And as this event shows violence in the family happens irrespective of what side of the train tracks you live on.
We are reminded of the departure of Clint Brown from TV3 in 2006. Brown, also a sports presenter, was stood down over allegations of drunk and abusive behaviour. This included making derogatory remarks about Maori women, kicking a taxi and insulting a customer’s wife. He was beaten up as a result and suffered a fractured eye socket and chipped teeth.
TV3 lost a respected and popular presenter. Now TVNZ have suffered the same fate.
Research suggests that if there is violence in one relationship, there was probably violence in previous and subsequent relationships. If Veitch doesn’t front up to his actions then we can be assured people from his past will reveal other discretions.
We haven’t heard the last of this.
[TVNZ have already removed him from the ONE News Team page but the Game of Two Halves page still features him. Surely he’s not on the show this Friday?]
Any member of the public can lay a complaint about this with the police if they have reason to suspect a crime has been committed. The Police must follow that up by law. That would be very interesting.
Hard to prove anything though unless the victim cooperates.
A look at his bank balance might give a good clue though.
Yep, like I said, a complaint would start a process. It would be interesting. Shake it out a bit.
For God sake – leave him alone, I know what he did was absolutely terrible but dont you all think that it is between him and his ex girlfriend and no one else. He admitted he did wrong to the public (not that it is any of our business) sort out help for his problem and as far as I can see if he and his ex have sorted out the problem what the hell has it got to do with any one else. As far as I am concerned he should be able to keep his job as it is not an employment issue. The media have only made this an issue as they always do by sensationalising anything that will get them viewers or readers whether it is totally factual or not.
Not an employment issue- how’s that again? No one could look at him again without thinking “there’s the creep who broke his girlfriends back” And TVNZ could hardly run ads about violence against women while they were paying him. He admitted he did wrong (sort of) ‘cos he got busted- and the pay out was to make it go away.If its nobody elses business then so’s a little chinese girl getting kidnapped or a kid getting killed by his dad “nobody elses business”
Hi Tony, Just want to say, that although I am a middle aged woman and totally against violence I think you have well and truly paid for your mistake and should be left alone to get on with your life in your chosen career. Most of my friends feel the same way. I wish you and your wife a happy future.There are always two sides to a storey.
Cheers, Sharelle