Controversial security firm Thompson and Clark uses secret chat channels to communicate with government departments, and share information about members of the public it is monitoring for those departments. Intelligence is shared with Doc staff via multiple private channels on messaging app Slack. Thompson and Clark director Gavin Clark declined to comment when asked if his firm had threatened to cancel Doc's contract if the information was released. The channel was accessible only by three Thompson and Clark staff and three Doc staff, and Doc specifically requested the information shared in it be excluded from monthly situation report. Mr Maher said Doc "never asked [Thompson and Clark] to do any surveillance'' and the firm has "assured [Doc] they haven't'' spied on anyone.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 23, 2018 20:15 UTC