National is calling for Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway to resign after he admitted he may not have had the facts straight when he granted residency to a convicted drug smuggler.
He's reviewing the case of Czech national Karel Sroubek after what he calls "contradictory information" came to his attention.
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Karel Sroubek is a convicted drug smuggler - and thanks to our Immigration Minister, he's also a New Zealand resident.
He arrived here in 2003 on a false passport, claiming to have witnessed a murder. He changed his name, built a kickboxing career - and was then done for drug-smuggling and is serving time in prison.
Newshub understands the Government thought Sroubrek's life was at risk if he returned to the Czech Republic.
On Wednesday though, there was an embarrassing climb-down - the Immigration Minister may have got it wrong.
"Shortly before Question Time today, I became aware that information may exist that appears on the face of it to directly contradict information that I used and relied upon to make that decision," Mr Lees-Galloway told Parliament.
"I am now taking advice on my options, and need to consider the veracity of the new information that has been made available to me."
It's been reported that Sroubek has travelled back to the Czech Republic, despite his life allegedly being in danger there.
Mr Lees-Galloway has come under serious fire from the Opposition. National leader Simon Bridges has questioned why residency was granted and says the situation is "flabbergasting".
"I think it shows an incompetent and naive decision," he says.
"He hasn't got the judgement, he hasn't got the skills - and he should resign."
The Prime Minister has ordered Mr Lees-Galloway to clean up his own mess.
"If there is anything that contradicts the information provided, it's for the minister to go back to his officials - and it would be my expectation that he do that," Jacinda Ardern says.
Mr Lees-Galloway knows how serious this is, and this is one call he must get right. The integrity of the immigration system's at stake - and so is his career.
Newshub.
