NZ man's reputation restored over 70s spy scandal
Updated
The family of a former top civil servant in New Zealand has welcomed the release of a secret file which shows there was no evidence he was a spy for the Russians.
The chief ombudsman ordered the Security Intelligence Service file be made public.
In the 1970s Bill Sutch was a high ranking official in the New Zealand government who would be charged with being a spy after he met with a Russian diplomat.
He was acquitted in 1975, but died seven months later from liver cancer.
Family spokesman John Edwards says the trial destroyed him.
"Bill Sutch never made any secret of his left leaning tendencies and there was never any evidence that he was disloyal to New Zealand, that he was an agent," he said.
Dr Sutch's enduring legacy is that he helped establish UNICEF.
His family say finally his reputation is restored.
