Hackergate probe clears Oz MP

An Australian state MP has been cleared of wrongdoing following a police investigation into hacking in the New South Wales parliament.

As previously reported, a PC from Labor MP's Tony Kelly's office was seized amid allegations that it was used to gain unauthorised access to sensitive policy files belonging to Liberal MLC Charlie Lynn.

Detective Inspector Colin Dyson, who is leading the investigation, has sent a letter to Kelly saying that although files were found on an unauthorised computer, police had found no evidence of "unauthorised intrusion [hacking]". The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Police have ruled out bringing forward criminal charges in the case but say they will continue to investigate how sensitive files wound up on a PC in Kelly's office.

Kelly, who stepped down as deputy president of the Upper House of the New South Wales, has issued a statement saying the police investigation has vindicated him but the political controversy the affair has created shows no signs of dying out.

Investigators found a security audit tool called "LANGuard" on Kelly's office computer, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

LANGuard Network Scanner can be used to crack passwords and opposition leaders argue that this is reason enough for a full inquiry into the Hackergate affair. Let's hope this story will run and run... ®

Related stories

Aussie MP in hacking probe

External links

Police clear MP of hacking allegations (Sydney Morning Herald)
Information on LANGuard (a freeware security tool from GFI)