NSW: Costa branded a fugitive over Ryan affair

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NSW: Costa branded a fugitive over Ryan affair

SYDNEY, April 16 AAP - NSW Opposition Leader John Brogden today branded Police MinisterMichael Costa a "fugitive" from the law.

Mr Brogden used the tag to describe Mr Costa's failure to publicly explain whetherhe had misled parliament on the departure of NSW Police Commission Peter Ryan.

The opposition has accused Mr Costa of misleading parliament on the issue and Mr Brogdentoday renewed his call for the minister to resign.

Mr Ryan leaves his post as commissioner tomorrow, ending his contract almost two yearsbefore it was due to expire.

There is ongoing controversy over whether he quit or was pushed.

Mr Brogden said Mr Costa needed to publicly explain whether he was also planning tomislead the Police Integrity Commission (PIC).

The PIC has been asked by the opposition to look into the legality of the contract termination.

Mr Brogden said the government needed to ensure Mr Costa passed on a transcript ofthe Channel Nine 60 Minutes interview, where Mr Ryan claimed he had not resigned.

"(Mr Costa) must come forward today and answer these questions," Mr Brogden said.

"The legislation is clear - the minister must provide the PIC with all documents relevantto the matter.

"He's a fugitive from the law - he should come forward and give reasons on this matter."

Mr Brogden said Mr Costa had twice misled parliament by stating that Mr Ryan had voluntarilydecided to quit.

But Mr Brogden said that Mr Ryan had told the media that he had been forced out of the job.

However, the parliamentary record remain unchanged, he said.

Mr Brogden renewed calls for the police minister to resign for misleading the parliament.

"Mr Costa has not corrected the parliamentary record, which is required under parliamentarypractice," he said.

"Mr Costa has not done this.

"The fact remains that Mr Costa has misled the parliament and should resign."

AAP ls/arb/las/bwl

KEYWORD: RYAN BROGDEN