The jailed Czech drug dealer cock-and-bull stuff defies belief. He accessed New Zealand on a false passport and is now serving five years plus for drug offences. He was recently refused parole, so warrants deportation at the end of his imprisonment. His track record is appalling.

Immigration Minister Lees-Galloway then bypasses normal procedures and gives this criminal New Zealand residency without saying why.

This nonsense is at public cost and risk. Where entreaties are made to Ministers a waiver needs signing so all the circumstances are publicly disclosed for robust examination.

It's the classic case of no openness, no transparency and no accountability, which is wrong, and up there with judges who inexplicably give wet bus ticket sentences to villains, then when challenged say critics don't know the facts.

Well, the answer is to publicise the facts, obtain waivers from the offenders, which should be a compulsory pre-condition to any plea for special treatment/leniency, and the circumstances publicly notified. Hiding behind the veil of secrecy is not an option. Kiwis should be appalled and Mr Lees -Galloway needs a reality check. No, better still, he should just resign and follow his two colleagues out the Cabinet door.

Ms Ardern's 'read between the lines” dictum is piffle.

R Paterson, Matapihi (Abridged).