Homicide victim former spy

By Dan Parker

3 News can tonight reveal that a man found dead in his Whanganui home was a spy with links to the KGB, and his work led to the expulsion of two Soviets.

Seventy-seven-year-old former foreign correspondent Derek Round was a victim of a violent attack on Thursday morning.

Rolls of police tape and a single flower mark the address where Derek Round was found dead by police.

The brutal assault has shocked the community. Those who were once just Mr Round's neighbours may now be witnesses who hold clues as to why he was killed.

"It did sound like an argument, yes, raised voices," says neighbour Karen Beckham. "It didn't sound like a friendly chat."

Police have been going door to door in their hunt for tips.

They're looking in particular at the movements of Mr Round's distinctive blue Jaguar which may have been driven following his death.

"That's why we are trying to identify its movements and where it has gone," says Senior Sergeant Dave Kirby. "In that sense we'll be able to identify who was driving it in the vehicle at that time."

Meanwhile, friends and family are mourning the seemingly senseless loss of the distinguished journalist and foreign correspondent, who was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010.

Ian Templeton worked with Mr Round in the Parliamentary Press Gallery and became close friends with him travelling together on a number of assignments.

"He was a big man in all senses of the word," says Mr Templeton. "Big in stature and big in nature."

Mr Round's cousin says the sharing of information didn't stop there. He claims Mr Round ended up working as a spy for the SIS after he was contacted by the Russians to provide "helpful information". Instead he spied on them.

"The Soviets paid him £30 a week and the SIS paid him £25. He worked under the code name Jeremy Bentham," says cousin Martin Round.

When then Prime Minister Keith Holyoake made an indiscreet comment that could have identified Mr Round as a spy, two Soviets were expelled from New Zealand.

But now Mr Round is at the centre of another tale of mystery and intrigue.

Police say one significant lead could be a series of garments they believe may have been discarded somewhere around Whanganui following the assault.

Police are looking for a long-sleeved red sweatshirt or jersey, a black leather vest, dark stone wash jeans, dark fingerless gloves and dark sports shoes.

But there are many things police are currently unwilling to reveal, like whether they have a suspect and whether they have anyone in custody for the crime.

Possibly tellingly, they have reassured the public that they're not in any immediate danger.

3 News

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