Hambone:
We begin tonight with startling developments coming
out of parliament in Batman. The government was shocked today when opposition
leader, Devon Wainwright, revealed that he and his Re-Monarchist party had been
actively aiding the various pirate groups that have been responsible for
numerous attacks across the planet. For more information, we cross to our
political correspondent, Rachel Drew.
Drew:
Thank you for that, Brian. This move on Devon
Wainwright’s part was not only completely shocking but also unexpected. Wainwright
had called a press conference for this afternoon when it was expected that he
would make a major announcement with regards to the pirate issue. Instead, he
delivered a prepared statement that nobody expected.
Wainwright:
I colluded with the pirates as in order to bring
down the government and restore my family to power. I provided them with
funding, resources and equipment in order to conduct their operations. Members
of my own family were among their leaders, and had been positioned to ensure
that the pirate bands followed my directives and attacked the targets that
would be most beneficial to myself and my party. I, and my family and members
of my party, have been actively supporting them for over a decade now.
Drew:
After finishing his statement, Mister Wainwright voluntarily
surrendered himself to the federal police, and has been detained for
questioning. However, all indications are that he has been willing to provide
the government and SAFE with information regarding his activities.
Hambone:
Do we know what bought on this sudden revelation?
Drew:
This comes on the back of a busy two weeks for
Mister Wainwright. While he had previously been critical of the government’s
decision to hire mercenaries to combat the pirates, he had stepped up his
opposition in the light of the Wolf Empire’s attack on Ashburton. Wainwright
had blamed the government for bringing the Clans down on the world through the
presence of the Mercenaries. After the Clans had been reported to have left
Ashburton, Wainwright announced his intention to open negotiations with the
pirates in order to end what he called their ‘rain of terror’.
Hambone:
Do we know anything about those negotiations?
Drew:
While we do not know what happened with Wainwright,
we do know a few facts. He flew out earlier this week with a small staff to
begin negotiations. It was only after he left that the government confirmed
that their mercenaries had achieved a major victory over the pirates, defeating
several large bands. However, it now seems that Wainwright might have opted to
give up the pirates, even though they were apparently previously his allies.
Hambone:
And as yet has there been any evidence to support
his statement?
Drew:
Brian, in the last hour, Government sources have confirmed that one of the captured pirate
leaders was Jeremy Wainwright, the nephew of Devon Wainwright. You may recall
that Jeremy Wainwright was the member for Monash until he was forced to resign
following a scandal three years ago. He subsequently dropped out of the public
light, but it now appears that he had found other employment.
Hambone:
So what does this mean for the federal parliament?
Drew:
As you know the Re-Monarchist party is the largest single
opposition party in parliament. They in turn were in a coalition with the Ecologist
party and several other minor parties to oppose the Progress Party’s
substantial majority. Whole normally this would require the Re-Monarchists to
select a new leader, I can reveal that now the entire party is under
investigation. And while Ecologist party leader Bryan Taupe tried to distance
himself from Wainwright, questions must now be asked about their involvement
with their coalition partners.
Hambone:
So we can expect a few more resignations in the
days to come?
Drew:
That’s more then likely, Brian. It’s expected that
numerous members of the Re-Monarchist Party will step down in the next few
days, especially given the number who have claimed no knowledge of Wainwright’s
involvement with the pirates. However, there is also the expectation that a
number will come under investigation themselves at all levels of the party.
Hambone:
So we could be seeing the end of this coalition?
Drew:
Possibly of the entire Re-Monarchist party, Brian.
This is looking to be the biggest shake-up in Ashburton politics in decades.
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