Jock Anderson

Leading crime barrister Peter Williams QC, says he is “disgusted” by the refusal to allow his friend and long time colleague Eb Leary to practice law again (See tonight’s CaseLoad exclusive).

The New Zealand law practitioners’ disciplinary tribunal today refused to re-admit Mr Leary, who was struck off more than 20 years ago as a result of his association with drugs baron Terry Clark.

“It seems to me to be a very gloomy, negative and conservative decision,” Mr Williams said.

“I feel sad for the people who made the judgment. They show a lack of enlightenment and a lack of the appreciation of the human spirit.”

“Eb has the capacity to be a very good lawyer and give service to the community,” Mr Williams said.

“He’s been out of the game for many, many years and in the interim he’s worked well and been successful commercially.”

“After all these years he should have been welcomed back into the profession.”

Mr Williams said the decision was bleak and crushing.

“It shows a certain inability to understand the human spirit and how it overcomes difficulties and re-establishes itself.”

“There’s a stifling, negative and nasty element to this. It shows a lack of humanity.”

“Over a period of time you are entitled to a place in society again.”

Feedback on this story to jockanderson@ihug.co.nz