Worth resigns
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:30 am by David FarrarJust announced:
STATEMENT FROM DR RICHARD WORTH
“It is with deep regret that I have resigned my role as a Minister.
“I am resigning from the role for personal reasons.
“I tendered my resignation to the Prime Minister last night and he accepted.
“It has been a privilege to have been a Minister in this Government.
“I will not be making any further comment to the media.
“I have been granted two weeks’ leave of absence from the House.”
I will blog more details as they are known.
John Key says:
Prime Minister John Key says he has accepted the resignation of Dr Richard Worth as a Minister in the National-led Government.
“Dr Worth tendered his resignation to me last night, and I have accepted it.
“He advised me of some private matters in respect of which he felt it appropriate that he should resign as a Minister. I accepted his resignation and have advised the Governor-General accordingly.
“I will not be making further comment on the matters he has advised me about.
“Dr Worth’s ministerial responsibilities will be temporarily transferred to Maurice Williamson. I will be making an announcement about permanent appointments to the portfolios in the near future.”
Now this is just ridicolous. You can’t have a secret resignation – or a resignation for undisclosed reasons. The Government is bonkers if they think the reasons won’t come out, let alone that they do not have a duty to disclose them. And refusing to state the reasons will keep it as a story for days and weeks, instead of a three day wonder.
If you resign as a Minister, you need to say why you are resigning. Not the full details, but at least some reason.
Worth was Minister of Internal Affairs, Land Information, Archives, National Library and Associate Justice. It will be interesting if his portfolios get dished out to other Ministers, or will there be an early promotion for a backbencher?
UPDATE2: The more I think about this, the more stupid it is not to state why he has resigned. As in majorly stupid. The public will wonder what the Government is hiding, the Opposition will assume the worst, the media will dig up dirt until they find the reason, and the Governments looks shifty. Before it is too late, the Government should arrange for either Key or Worth to explain why Worth resigned – the public have a right to know. Or they should at least leak the reson damn quick, so the story doesn’t go on for weeks and weeks.
UPDATE3: I am hearing that there will be a new Minister appointed and it is between Chief Whip Nathan Guy and Finance & Expenditure Select Committee Chair Craig Foss.
UPDATE4: Worth is the subject of a criminal investigation. This would explain why there are no details, but would have been easier if they had said this was the case from the beginning. NZPA reports:
Wellington police said today an allegation had been made against “a sitting member of Parliament”.
Police were conducting a preliminary investigation.
Prime Minister John Key accepted Dr Worth’s resignation last night.
Mr Key told reporters he would have sacked Dr Worth, had he not resigned. He confirmed it was criminal investigation.
It is the right thing that Worth has gone as a Minister of he is facing a criminal investigation.
Mr Key was alerted to the matter last week, before the MP told him about it.
Ouch. That would not be a good look.
Now no doubt in time the details of the investigation and any charges against Worth will be made public. He is of course innocent until found guilty, but I think it is fair to conclude his parliamentary career is all but over.
It is premature to speculate, but Cam Calder may end up an MP yet.
UPDATE5: Key has not been subtle at his press conference.
“All I can tell you is his conduct does not befit a minister and I will not have him in my Cabinet,” Mr Key told a press conference this morning.
“If he hadn’t resigned I would have sacked him.” …
Mr Key said an outside party had informed his office of the allegation of a “relatively recent” incident last week.
Dr Worth had not come to him about it.
Dr Worth has been given a two-week leave of absence from Parliament: “because I think he needs some time to reflect on his future and whether he intends to stay as an MP”.
Mr Key said it was up to Dr Worth to decide whether to leave Parliament, but if police laid charges he may be suspended or expelled from Caucus.
`Ultimately whether he stays as a member of parliament is a matter at this point for him to consider.
“I urge him to consider his own future, and take counsel with his own family and friends.
“It may be in the fullness of time he is not appropriate to be a member of parliament. But that is not something I can adjudicate on at this time.”
Mr Key said the resignation had nothing to do with those.
“The decision that has been reached today has been reached on the back of this incident and nothing else.”
The allegations sound pretty dire, to say the least. But great to see Key set such a firm line on behaviour. I remember Clark and Cullen defending Field for months.
I was probably a bit too harsh before in criticising the Government’s handling of this. Key has now provided the reason for the resignation, without going into details which are a matter for the Police inquiry. The original PR though said no further comment would be made, and then Key does a press conference so I think the message could have been better – but can’t really fault Key’s response now.
UPDATE6: NewstalkZB reports:
The Prime Minister has dropped another bombshell on his way into the debating chamber, revealing it is not the first time he has investigated Richard Worth for allegedly harassing women.
Dr Worth has today resigned from Cabinet and is being investigated by police. Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper says it is clear from what John Key says, that it involves a woman.
I may be wrong but all the indications are that it seems to be some sort of allegation of sexual assault. Now that is not confirmed, and no doubt the Police will in time say something, but I understand TV tonight is likely to report along these lines.
Tags: Richard Worth
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:34 am
Yay.
Another National socialist waste of space rides off into the sunset.
(and Key should have sacked him in the first place)
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 am
I just hope it is for genuine health reasons rather than a scandal. It looks like health given the two weeks leave. On paper he looked very good but in practice he was simply unsuited to politics.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:42 am
Assuming he is not resigning due to ill health then this is great news, one can only hope that Nick Smith is next followed by Bill English.
We might even get a real Tory as a replacement.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:43 am
OK. There is a maxim that in any organisation, an individual rises to his or her level of incompetence. If this is the case, and Worth is ill-suited to the role, then as an elected representative, to voluntarily move aside is the proper step. If this is for health reasons, then this is also the proper step.
Politically, it ain’t a good look, but then many of the right moral decisions are not the right political ones……….sadly.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:43 am
He seemed rather unhappy & stressed at Bambina this morning drinking coffee with family members. But certainly he didn’t look sick.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:44 am
maybe he ate more dodgy Indian curry?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:45 am
Bye bye crook!
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:45 am
“We might even get a real Tory as a replacement.”
It would be good, but where the hell are they in National?
Just another bunch of socialist lamers.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:46 am
“Personal reasons” doesn’t necessarily mean health. They don’t need him in Parliament to have a majorty, so fine to send him away for a couple of weeks to take the pressure off if “personal reasons” actually means “personal interests” and their conflict with his role as a Minister.
Key had indicated he was on final warning, so something else may have emerged that meant he could no longer be tolerated. If that is the case, at least to his credit he’s gone quietly rather than do a Benson-Pope and keep hanging around like bad fart.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:46 am
It wasn’t health. The two weeks’ leave is a (very wise) tactic to avoid the media. I think John Key efectively sacked him…. probably some weeks ago, with the proviso that he should go quietly when the fuss had died down. If this is the case, then congratulations to John Key for enforcing standards on his ministers….. makes a very welcome change from the last bunch of unprincipled criminals, liars and fraudsters that were in power.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:49 am
“then congratulations to John Key for enforcing standards on his ministers”
WTF are you on about??
Key straight up refused to sack him.
You cannot enforce standards in your ministers with this kind of weak kneed shilly shallying.
To have earned the plaudits you are attempting to bestow, Key should have sacked him right at the start.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:56 am
big bruv, just what the hell are you on about, there is two ACT MPs who are more than bloody happy to keep the baubles of office even though a Labour party type budget was bought in.
Vote:If Hide had any bloody belief in the rightness of the free market cause he would pull ACT out of the coalition.
Talks a good right wing talk Hide, but when push comes to shove is more than happy to serve in a socialist government but you cannot see the hypocrisy of it.
Bloody hell the Nats have never been a hard right government as much as some would want it.
Jeez, an old Labour type sticking up for the Nats
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:02 am
Interesting – he is one of the last of the old-style Auckland National Bluebloods, from the right schools, the eastern suburbs, the right clubs, the right firms etc, linked into old Auckland money and society. Once he would have been nearly untouchable with that behind him. A sign that the times are a changing.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:07 am
I have to agree with DPF in one respect. By not commenting on the story, Key and the Nats may lose control of the story. If the reason behind the events has even a hint of scandal to it, then hiding behind “no comment” is the wrong approach.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:11 am
DPF.
Vote:Congratulations on your unbiased stance on this.
Many kiwiblog contributors (on both sides) could learn plenty from your actions!
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
Will the tubby westie be next if causing the Nat government to be embarrassed is a reason to fall on the sword.
Vote:Because as sure as hell Rankin will cause some strife.
Or is Bennett safe because of her tan and gender ?
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:16 am
Exactly 10 years ago I shared a stage with two well known political commentators Mr James and Mr Trotter..We were doing a corporatepost election presentation and my job was to pick who of the 1999 parliamentary intake were future stars.I still remember being openly criticised by both of them for failing to have Richard Worth on my list.My two colleagues were the household stars so they had to be right didnt they!
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:18 am
David, you appear to be over reacting. All John Key has said is that he does not intend to ‘comment on the matters he has advised me about.’ That is a very narrow and specific statement.
You don’t know what those matters are and it is possible they are particularly personal and private.
John Key has NOT said he will not comment on the resignation, just those specific matters. John Key does NOT have to comment to you or to the public on any resignation. He most certainly would need to comment at length on a dismissal but this is not a dismissal, no matter who much some would like to construe it.
Yes, there may well be speculation as to those matters, but tough. The media and all the other beltway types will soon find something else with which to occupy their addiction to titillation. The auditor general’s report on Immigration goings on, Philip Field, some new scandal about Shearer, Shane Jones’ citizenship for party donations, the Greens’ roting of housing allowances?
Having said all that, on balance it would not surprise me if Mr Worth had some more indiscretions set to emerge but they are NOT personal matters. He seems to be a most indiscreet fellow.
If it turns out later that there were NO real personal matters and this was just an excuse, then Mr Key will cop a flogging from many quarters. Somehow, I doubt it. John Key is smarter than that.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:20 am
LOL @ Jack (9.44am)
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:22 am
I agree with DPF – whatever the reason is, someone will dig it out. And they may dig some other dirt out while they are floundering looking for the real dirt – unfortunately Mr Worth seems to have a fair bit of it to find.
I’d be willing to be he was on his final warning, and he’s fessed up to Key that there is something else that would be stinky. And Key has said ‘so – you understand final warning, right? Where’s your resignation letter.’
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:23 am
This in fact was a warning from Key to the rest of National.
Hes not going to go down Clarks route of protecting failures.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:24 am
Bloody Labour. They have never stopped digging for dirt on National MPs. Clearly they have identified something that they have threatened to leak muck on. They are evil and nasty
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:25 am
Its called projection by shrinks Alfred.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:29 am
Yes I agree with DPF too, about the way this resignation is being handled.
If there’s a simple innocuous reason, like ill health, then be straightforward about it today and then make it clear you intend to make no further statements. Behave like a gentleman, and earn peoples’ respect for being upfront.
If there’s a potentially embarrassing reason, like bad behaviour, then likewise be straightforward about it today, make it clear that you intend to make no further statements about it in future … and leave it clearly stuck on to Richard Worth’s reputation not on the National Party’s or on John Key’s.
But if there’s a potentially embarrassing reason, like bad behaviour, and you stay silent about it then you are complicit in it and when it does eventually come out into the open (which it certainly will) then the mud will be over John Key and the Nats more than on Richard Worth. If there’s a problem then the news story needs to be about Richard Worth, not about the Nats cover-up on behalf of Richard Worth.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:29 am
He-Man said “Bye bye crook!”
Of course, He-Man, you have the evidence to back your statement.
No? Funny that.
Personally, I’m pleased to see Key cut him loose, as even perceptions of conflict of interest are damaging. He should have done it some time ago.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:31 am
I know most people will laugh at this, but it is possible that Worth is telling the truth: he is resigning for reasons that are purely (and maybe very) personal. I will not speculate on what those reasons might be but it should not be hard to imagine some possibilities.
In any event, if he has told Key what the reasons are in confidence then Key is honour bound to remain silent, even if this is politically convenient. IF this is the case then it actually reflects well on Key that he puts honour before expedience. Besides, how could anyone trust him if he did breach such a confidence?
DPF is right that intense media interest is highly likely to siphon the truth out into public view sooner or later and that the media fenzy may be politically awkward. But at least the story will not have come from Key.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
“Murray
This in fact was a warning from Key to the rest of National.
Hes not going to go down Clarks route of protecting failures.”
Protecting failures is exactly what he is doing.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
Hmmm… what does that mean though? Surely if it was health-related they would have said so. Smells like a scandal to me.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 am
It seemed to me that Dr Worth’s position was becoming more and more untenable, and that a resignation was one of two options. The other was a sacking.
Dr Worth has resigned, and I would imagine that the issue is along the lines of the straw that broke the camels back. If he is unable to maintain the required standards, then he should, quite rightly, step down.
I do contrast the manner of Dr Worth’s departure with the manner of Taito Phillip Field’s departure. Incidentally, what is happening with THAT case??
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 am
Where is Benson-Pope now? At least Field is being held to account. Mallard can’t help himself and is a disgraceful MP who loves to throw muck.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
hot news.
Police just announced that they are investigating an allegation about a sitting member of parliament.
Is it just a coincidence?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
Wellington Police are reporting that an allegation has been made against a sitting MP.
I wonder if this is connected?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
Police have announced that an allegation has been made against a “sitting member” who they refused to name. Join the dots.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
His resignation may be a blessing in disguise. He has far too many outside interests to be an effective minister. National has a lot of new talent on the back benches so after a few months initiation it is a good time to bring the best of them forward.
I have no idea what is going on. If there has been a family tragedy, my heart goes out. However I smell a scandal and if so, his resignation is the most honest and accountable thing to have done.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
“National MP Richard Worth quit as a minister because of a criminal matter, Prime Minister John Key confirmed this morning, saying if he had not resigned he would have been sacked.”
Vote:http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2467307/Minister-Richard-Worth-quits-over-criminal-matter
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:01 am
One would think that the allegation would have to have a lot of substance to it, otherwise presumably it’d just be a ‘stand down’ while the matter was investigated.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:05 am
Punting a loser is protecting failures while keeping them in parliament and nobling an investigation known as the “Clark Method” isn’t. WTF?????
racer will now go on to prove black is white.
Later he’ll get hit by a bus on a pedestrian crossing with any luck.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:05 am
Shit
A criminal matter – Police issueing a statement soon
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2467307/Minister-Richard-Worth-quits-over-criminal-matter
Up until now I couldn’t see anything that he has particularly wrong except for being a bumbling pompous old git
Vote:Before the 2002 election I saw him driving round Newmarket with a loudspeaker on his car saying ‘Vote for me on Saturday the (wrong day – can’t remember which)’ – Never liked him since then
Maybe he will join the Greens to join the only person in parliament more pompous than himself – Kennedy Graham
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:08 am
It looks a lot like accountability to me.
Unlike the Clark Method where H2 would tell the police what their findings were.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 am
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 am
“Murray
Punting a loser is protecting failures while keeping them in parliament and nobling an investigation known as the “Clark Method” isn’t. WTF?????”
Key should have publicly asked worth to resign, anything else is protecting him.
Looks like we have been over taken by events anyway.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:15 am
I was hoping the veil of secrecy would be lifted once Labour got turfed out at the last election. Guess I was wrong. Can I get a refund on my vote?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:16 am
Hmmm. Melissa Lee, Christine Rankin, a dark grey Budget, and now a “criminal matter”.
How fast the wheels can fall off. ‘Twas all looking rosy for the Nats a month ago.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 am
Will this also mean a by election or is Worth on the list?
Edit, just looked it up myself he is list.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 am
radar said: I was hoping the veil of secrecy would be lifted once Labour got turfed out at the last election. Guess I was wrong. Can I get a refund on my vote?
Try Green next time radar – the only party genuinely committed to open government.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 am
Nathan Guy – is he one of those two eager, bright-eyed terrier look-alikes who sit behind John Key and Bill English? Their position seems deliberate … very good imitations of eager terriers.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 am
Is he just resigning as a Minister, or as an MP too? I think just as a Minister….
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:24 am
I was hoping the veil of secrecy would be lifted once Labour got turfed out at the last election. Guess I was wrong. Can I get a refund on my vote?
If it is a criminal matter, then it is completely appropriate that the Prime Minister ensures he does not jeapodise the Police investigation. If it was Labour H1 and H2 would be hot on the phone to ensure “it is not in the public interest to prosecute”.
Will this also mean a by election or is Worth on the list?
List, but then as I read it he has only resigned from his portfolio’s, the two weeks leave suggests he hasnt resigned from parliament – I wonder what has to be done to remove him from parliarment though if he refuses to go on his own?
Try Green next time radar – the only party genuinely committed to open government.
Oh yes Communists are soooo into open government arn’t they!
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:26 am
“Try Green next time radar – the only party genuinely committed to open government.”
People will say anything to obtain power and the baubles of office. Then power corrupts. I have to say that the greens are a better opposition than Labour at the moment. It will be interesting to test this statement if the greens were to significantly increase their vote at the next election.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Toad you are an utter disgrace.
The budget is grey due to excessive spending over the last 9 years by your greedy mates. Given your history, you would increase budgets to all, that is, mates only of course.
Regarding melissa lee, did she say anything untruthful? She is bumbling at worst.
And richard worth? At least John gave him the swift boot. Unlike your aunty Helen who oversaw an inquiry constructed to fail, with respect to your good pal taito philip fields.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:29 am
Since the cops are involved presumably Key is constrained in commenting on the circumstances which apparently may involve a criminal investigation. So the criticism for his “secrecy” may be inappropriate.
As far as Worth himself goes I once landed on his mailing list but soon left unimpressed.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:29 am
“Hmmm. Melissa Lee, Christine Rankin, a dark grey Budget, and now a “criminal matter”.
How fast the wheels can fall off. ‘Twas all looking rosy for the Nats a month ago.”
….still is looking rosy you tosser…hmm people have short memories of laybores wrongdoings, giant fuck ups and criminal behaviour during their 9 years in (outa) control…unfortunately I dont have 8 hours to go into it all…
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:30 am
What are the girls at Mermaids going to do now? Maybe focus on the Labour MP that frequents the place… and pops upstairs
[DPF: Very close to demerits]
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:31 am
“John gave him the swift boot”
He is also who appointed him, if (and it is too early to know of course) this is linked to the helicopter issue back in April then Mr Key’s judgement will be called into question.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:32 am
“Bevan
If it is a criminal matter, then it is completely appropriate that the Prime Minister ensures he does not jeapodise the Police investigation.”
The duplicity is astounding…
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:34 am
“What are the girls at Mermaids going to do now? Maybe focus on the Labour MP that frequents the place… and pops upstairs”
Maybe they could start hanging out with mr “Strong arm, Limp wrist” and his toyboy?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 am
The duplicity is astounding…
So you’d prefer the Clark/Field method?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:40 am
You mean Mallard and Phil In racer?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:41 am
DPF said “Now no doubt in time the details of the investigation and any charges against Worth will be made public. He is of course innocent until found guilty, but I think it is fair to conclude his parliamentary career is all but over.”
If Worth has broken the law, he ought be prosecuted. The last thing we need to hear are those immortal words so populised during the term of the last government – “it is not in the public interest to prosecute”.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
I like how in a National government a criminal investigation forces that MP to resign before Key fires him.
True, Inventory2. I predict there will be a significant proportion of National supporters calling for the prosecution of one of their own former Ministers.
Such a refreshing change.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
Absolutely Kimble – no-one, from the PM down, is above the law – no matter how much they perceive themselves to be.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:51 am
Interestingly Key says
“He was alerted to the matter last week, before the MP told him about it.”
So why did he wait a week, until a pending police announcement forced his hand. Curiouser and curiouser.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:51 am
It is not health it is a criminal inquiry.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:52 am
Hell Labour could learn a few lessons from how Key manages this with openness and transparency vs how H1 and H2 would. Haven’t heard the “move on” line from Key.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:52 am
“Bevan
The duplicity is astounding…
So you’d prefer the Clark/Field method?”
I’d prefer you lot made up your mind whether it is or is not appropriate for Mp’s or the PM to get involved in ongoing police investigations.
“Inventory2
The last thing we need to hear are those immortal words so populised during the term of the last government – “it is not in the public interest to prosecute”.”
Here is the problem, the police deciding whether to prosecute or not is entirely dependent on the event in question, what you claiming, from a position of less knowledge than the police in charge, is they made the wrong decision. This is problematic because your rabid dislike of Labour seriously impairs your judgment over the evidence, of course you’d find that it is in the public interest to prosecute. Now you need an explanation, and in lieu of the bad look of a Labour minister in court, claiming the police are corrupt and beholden to Clark is the next best thing. Alternatively you could tell us why your more qualified to do the police’s job in each instance where they have decided that?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:53 am
So why did he wait a week, until a pending police announcement forced his hand. Curiouser and curiouser.
A little thing called evidence sonic, and following proper procedure. gee I thought you were a union guy?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
chronic is a socialist, they can do anything they fucking like. Look at how Clark handled such things.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
I’d prefer you lot made up your mind whether it is or is not appropriate for Mp’s or the PM to get involved in ongoing police investigations.
It is never OK for the PM or MP’s to interfere in Police investigations! Nothing for ‘us lot’ to make up our minds about regardless of how contemtable the last government was, it would be no excuse for this one to follow.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:57 am
That all depends on what he was told Bevan. I wonder if the question will be what did Key know and when did he know it?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:58 am
So what is going on here?
I though when criminal allegations were made against an MP that the PM was required to intervene in the process by first calling off the police. Then once the police had been called off an inquiry with narrow terms was required to exonerate the MP. That inquiry was then supposed to run for about 9 months during which time MP’s would refuse to answer questions about it because ‘process’ was being followed.
I just don’t get what this is all about – Apart from ACT with the Donna Huata situation this kind of accountability is unprecedented.
What happened – Did Worth say he might stand as an independent ?
BTW: How is the Taito Field case progressing?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
The media (Newstalk) can’t find Worth and think he might have left the country!
Vote:Strange as saw him @ Bambina on Ponsonby Road at 9am this morning.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
So there IS a Labour MP who pops upstairs?
He (or she!) just can’t be named?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I get the impression that the left is so embarrassed by the obfuscations, lies, cover-ups, and cronyism of the last nine years that they are desparate to pick up on any perceived imperfection in the National Governement and blow it out of all proportion. Richard Worth never measured up as an MP despite his abilities as a corporate lawyer. That is why the Epsom electors rejected him. As a list member he was becoming a time server. He seems to have become involved in business outside Parliament (shades of Muerant) and come a cropper. Even if Key knew of some indiscretion last week he would have to wait over the holiday weekend, confirm the allegation, and then allow Worth to put his side of the case this week. Worth’s explanation was apparently unconvincing. So he had to go. It is refreshing to see Key being decisive; he could have allowed a Police investigation to proceed and leave Worth on a hook for the opposition to target.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
DPF said
Months? How about years.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I have just heard John Key on radio saying “(Worth’s resignation) was wholly appropriate…. If he hadn’t resigned I would have sacked him.”
This is very plain language from the PM and, as several other commenters have already pointed out, it CONTRASTS absolutely with the bullshitting, smokescreening and outright lying which characterised Helen Clark’s administration.
I’ll be watching with glee as this unfolds – but John Key has certainly shown a good side here and it would have been totally inappropriate for him to have commented further if Worth is facing a criminal investigation.
John Key, you are looking better and better.
EDIT: I originally wrote ‘obfuscation’ but I see Trout beat me to that one!
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
“Even if Key knew of some indiscretion last week he would have to wait over the holiday weekend”
No telephones in Chez Key?
If this is being investigated by the Wellington police it cannot be tied into the Taxi driver incident or the India trip I would think
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
The positive for John Key for this is that he gets to air his dirty laundry and take action before his opponents can attack. Goff says he should have shown more leadership. Well he has shown more leadership than Goff’s predecessor ever showed. One WRP smacked H2 in the face every day with a wet fish and she still did not take appropriate action
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
racer1 – let’s use Benson-Pope as an example. The Police found that there was a prima facie case of assault against a student, verified by witnesses, but decided of their own volition that it was not in the public interest to prosecute BP. That was an outrageous decison IMHO. Benson-Pope allegedly assaulted a student in his care; a student for whom he, as a teacher, had a duty of care.
At the time the allegations were made, he was the Minister of Social Development – the Minister responsible for the care and protection of the nation’s children. There were clearly significant political implications for the then-government. Do you seriously believe that someone didn’t have a word to someone else to bury this matter?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Brian Smaller said “DPF said
I remember Clark and Cullen defending Field for months.
Months? How about years.”
Indeed Brian – wasn’t it “He wasn’t guilty of anything other than helping his constituents”? I guess we’ll hear a bit more of the Field trial once the three-ring circus in Christchurch has run its course.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Nah sonic, the allegation is that he is Barack Obama’s genetic father.
FFS speculation doesn’t do you much good at all. Not that you have a reputation to protect tho’ so in hindsight it is conceivable (nay probable) that you are confirming your image as an odd wee chappie of limited intelligence.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
This must be some sort of record for shortest ministerial tenure before resigning due to dirt?
Is a party in Govt allowed unlimited substitutions of its list MPs for retirement, bereavement, resignation under clouds etc?
Big ups to Key for his handling of this. Very hard to criticise someone acting in a way that is clearly right and fair to all parties.
PS:
DPF’s string of updates vs the comments thread = LOL
Every once in a while events play out in a way that throws blinding light upon who has got something worth saying, and who is talking utter, utter sh*t!
[DPF: Yes until the list is exhausted - 15 more to go]
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Got anything serious to add David, or are we just having another little bitter turn?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Suggest we let the Police HQ investigate. That will take at least five years and they will end up lost as usual. Then someone can ask a whole lot of OIAs and then get the ombudsman involved who will be told that ‘They can’t talk about it’.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
To think this guy had the temerity to stand against perk buster Rodney.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
The wording by Key, and it would have been very carefully chosen, implies that an extremely serious allegation has been made.
It will either be bribery, corruption, or sex.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
To think this guy had the temerity to stand against perk buster Rodney.
The polls had Worth beating Rodney like a red-headed step child before Hide did a deal with Brash and Worth agreed to concede the seat in exchange for the speakers chair.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
as usual sonic, you miss the point. speculation is a worthless (no pun intended) use of what few grey cells remain. is that simple enough for you?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
“speculation is a worthless”
So instead you are just using this comment thread to launch childish personal attacks, well that is just so worthwhile David.
Here is what I said that seems to have driven you into a tizzy
“If this is being investigated by the Wellington police it cannot be tied into the Taxi driver incident or the India trip I would think”
What made you so angry about that?
Danyl, from your blog
“He also enjoys Bollywood films, Korean classical music and the early works of Sun Tzu.
What was up with his later work?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Here’s an NBR link tying it to allegations related to Watercare:
http://www.nbr.co.nz/horses-mouth/why-has-minister-internal-affairs-richard-worth-resigned
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Pays not to be too hasty in the real time world of the blogsphere DPF
Great to see JK front-footing it in a manner you would never have seen under H1 & H2
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
The more I see in the media, the more comfortable I feel with Key’s handling of the situation. If the matter is subject to a police investigation, then there is a limit to what he can and cannot say.
When he addressed the PC and said “All I can tell you is his conduct does not befit a minister and I will not have him in my Cabinet,” that should close the issue. His actions are decisive and final and this statement will suffice to any parliamentary questions on the matter, now that the matter is being investigated.
Key will be feeling very let down by the whole issue.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
It couldn’t, on the face of it, be the Watercare angle, unless he’s responded to the question and said no, which would be a lie. But that wouldn’t in itself be worthy of Police investigation. The fact that his daughter worked for Watercare on a brief contract when he wasn’t the Minister of Internal Affairs doesn’t seem to be of great import. Either there’s more to it, or it’s something else. But let’s remember that the author of the press release is one Penny Bright!
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
How did the Prime Minister find out before Worth told him?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
How did the Prime Minister find out before Worth told him?
I’d guess Broad told him.
[DPF: Actually it seems it was a third party]
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
TROLL WARNING!
Sonic aka Catatonic, Insonic, Insanic etc is a TROLL.
IGNORE Sonic posts (such as those at 12.31 and 12.53) and he eventually goes away.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
That all depends on what he was told Bevan.
Really? So you support sacking someone based on a rumour?
I wonder if the question will be what did Key know and when did he know it?
And if the opposition go down this route they will look like complete idiots – my impression is that this PM will know not the jeapodise a Police unlike Ms Clark.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Here’s an NBR link tying it to allegations related to Watercare:
http://www.nbr.co.nz/horses-mouth/why-has-minister-internal-affairs-richard-worth-resigned
Cheers for that, good read but Im not sure – this part sounds wrong in the article:
The allegation, which was put to me by a second ‘Watercare Whistleblower’ was that it was Richard Worth’s daughter, who three years ago had an uncontested contract working for Watercare for three months.
The potential conflict of interest here, (if the allegation is true), is that work on the legislative changes involving Watercare Services Ltd was carried out by the Department of Internal Affairs – for which Richard Worth WAS the Minister.
Three years ago Richard Worth was not the minister of the Dept of Internal Affairs, maybe he was the opposition spokesman – but what sway would that have?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I’m new to NZ – what’s a Dick Worth?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
No tizz sonic. I was struck by the fact that when almost everyone else was observing how the matter was being handled, and doing so in a most unpartisan way, your comments stood out as being attempts to throw a bit of crap around about possible causes of the allegations. I have no idea what the “helicopter issue” is or was, and I’m aware of the “taxi driver” and “India trip” furores but fail to see how they are relevant, and point to the fact that the commentariat by-and-large was clever enough to read the police statement that they were investigating allegations of a criminal nature which made such observations redundant when made as theer was no criminal dimension to them.
I also know that there is plenty of scope to speculate within the bounds of the Crimes Act but would see that as equally pointless.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I don’t see how the Watercare thing would a) Be a criminal matter or b) Be investigated by the Wellington rather than the Auckland Police.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
No possible criminal nature in conspiring to pervert the course of justice David, possibly visiting the victim of a crime to try and get him to change his evidence?
However, as I said I don’t think that can be it as it is the Wellington police investigating.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
WO will be like a pig in 5#1T. He’s been calling for the man’s head for some time. Harpooned!
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Question time at 2pm, We might find out more then.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Sonic
“No possible criminal nature in conspiring to pervert the course of justice David, possibly visiting the victim of a crime to try and get him to change his evidence?”
Are you talking about the former Labour MP Philip Field ?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I put the bold tag in the wrong place in my post – the following paragraph should have been bolded to as it was from the article
Vote:The potential conflict of interest here, (if the allegation is true), is that work on the legislative changes involving Watercare Services Ltd was carried out by the Department of Internal Affairs – for which Richard Worth WAS the Minister.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
No bruv I was talking about the subject of this thread. Feeling especially dense this afternoon?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Sorry to hear that you are feeling dense this afternoon Sonic, mind you I would have thought that was a permanent state for you.
Did you make this much fuss over Field?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Still not parsing sentences properly bruv? I’d go get a check up if I was you. Perhaps you should also ask them to look into your constant living in the past rather than dealing with today’s issues.
xxx
D
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Bevan, that is just a ridiculous stretch of conflict of interest and in any case wouldn’t be a criminal matter but one for the Privileges Committee.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Q2 this afternoon could get interesting:
Hon PHIL GOFF to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all his Ministers?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
sonic, if he did that he would be guilty of gross stupidity as much as anything else given the public nature of the visit and no-one has accused him of being stupid. A pompous ass – yes, a boring (but not a boor) at the dinner table – yes, a misfit as an MP – probably, but never stupid.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Perhaps John Key had the decency to seek a face-to-face meeting for the potential sacking, rather than (say) just texting him. If the matter came to his attention at the end of last week, then yesterday (Tuesday) may have been the first opportunity for that. Also, it does not seem unreasonable to me for Key to invite Worth to “consider his position” over the long weekend, giving him the chance to salve a shred of dignity by resigning – as he has indeed done.
[DPF: Key said he found out last Tuesday but it took some days to gather the full facts, and also give Worth natural justice]
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Surely not – Whale called this one weeks ago on the Watercare issue specifically. Another harpoon? Was Whale the third party?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
The Herald reports; “Prime Minister John Key has revealed he previously investigated an allegation of Richard Worth “making a nuisance of himself towards women”.
was this anything to do with the election result?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Full article: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10576151
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Goff: “”t is completely unsustainable for John Key to say that resignation from a high public office is for a secret or undisclosed reason unless there are personal family matters behind Dr Worth’s agreement to resign,” he said. “The Prime Minister had ample reason to sack his Minister months ago but lacked the necessary leadership to do so.”
You have to admit, the man is doing his job.
Just seem nobody is listening to him.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Disgraceful! What a stain on National and on Key. This is deeply damaging to the National government already and looks to get much, much worse. If the police charges are over something unsavoury as well as illegal, Nationa’s and Key’s credit with the public will be destroyed. Is this the type of MP anyone, left or right wants in government? Awaiting developments with glee.
[DPF: Gleeful about an alleged crime. This says so much about you]
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
No Petal Phil In Goff is not.
The Prime Minister should not be discussing the background to the resignation in case it jeopardises the Police investigation.
Vote:And as for the whole – should have sacked him months ago nonsense – maybe Goff should think back to his parties own track record in holding its ministers to account.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Is this the type of MP anyone, left or right wants in government? Awaiting developments with glee.
Taito Phillip Field
David Benson Pope
We didnt want them in government, but Aunty Helen did her best to protect them now didn’t she. A stark contrast to what is happening now.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Watching Channel 94 today on TV you could see and feel the tension in the house. It has made a real impact across the whole house with a very subdued feel .No one seemed very keen to act in a nasty political way.
Vote:Goff cross examined Key during question time about the matter. The feel I got was that Key seemed disgusted with what has happened, more by body language than anything else.
Goff seemed pretty restrained about the whole thing. This matter may well be something that will have emotional and negative consequences for someone.
Dr Worth will be gone in three weeks I think. How the mighty can fall !!
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I agree Neil, it is clearly something pretty bad judging by how both sides of the house reacted.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Q2 this afternoon could get interesting:
Hon PHIL GOFF to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all his Ministers?
The answer can be an unswavering yes. Worth has resigned his portfolios, therefore, he is no longer a minister.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Gleefulness I learned from the learned commentors from this blog, salivating and hand-rubbing on and on, even now, about Field and Benson-Pope. Who could blame me? (Oh, those very same people! How ironic!)
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:28 pm
If the police charges are over something unsavoury as well as illegal, Nationa’s and Key’s credit with the public will be destroyed.
How so? Sexual harrassment cases (or whatever this turns out to be) are dealt with all the time in the business world. Key has dealt with this with integrity which will only enhance his mana.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:28 pm
It seems as though the ‘indiscretion’ in question might be stomach-turning. Oh joy!
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Appropriately named aren’t you – village idiot.
I hope for the sake of all involved that Worths resignation as a minister is swiftly followed by his departure from parliament.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
No, no, lets rifle through the issue for as long as possible and get as much mileage from it as we can. We did it with Pope and Field – why not Worth?
[DPF: With those two previous cases, many on the left defended them for months on end. I don't see this occuring with Worth]
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Looks grim. Still, innocent until proven guilty doesn’t seem to mean quite what it used to.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Probably because he had done the decent thing and resigned, Key has accepted the resignatio.
There has been no attempt to cover his arse or continually deny allegations until the last possible moment, as with aforementioned MPs.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
No, no, lets rifle through the issue for as long as possible and get as much mileage from it as we can. We did it with Pope and Field – why not Worth?
Because no one is defending Richard Worth?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Petal that retard Goff doing his job,pull the other one.
Where was he when Mr Pope was going to the dogs?
Where was he on the field issue?
where was he on the pledge card fraud?
Where was he on the Winston debarcle?
He was hidding under the skirts of his bosses H1 & H2.
Didnt hear a peep out of him, followed the party line, was complicant in a fraud and for him to ask,no demand a sacking months ago is nothing short of political grandstanding and hypocrasy.
Never will get my vote again and am glad I went to the right, atleast they dont mince words.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Absolutely, if Benson-Pope and Field had done what Worth has done today, nobody would have poured too much scorn. As it is, they felched for months on end.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Pity John Key can’t sack the entire Labour Party and the media for making themselves a nuisance towards women over the last few weeks
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Indeed Blair – and their leadership supported their deceit. Wasn’t it Cullen who said that Taito Philip Field was “guilty of nothing more than helping his constituents” after the Ingram report was released? If that is the case, why is the self-same TPF currently defending corruption charges in the High Court?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Reading between the lines, I suspect Key sacked Worth for not informing him promptly when this issue arose despite previous warnings. That is sufficient cause without assuming guilt before conviction on this allegation.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Police say a complaint was lodged in Auckland 2 weeks ago and referred to Wellington for action. With Key dropping hints it sounds like sexual harassment or worse. Perhaps Broad did ring the PM.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I can’t wait to see how this all plays out!
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
New stocks on iPredict to see who will replace him!
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Who is next?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
He-Man asks “Who is next?” – I’d put my money on Cunliffe, when the A-G releases his report on the Immigration Service tomorrow
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-will-be-interesting.html
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 4:48 pm
…all ” beltway stuff “…move on…
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Hey Sonic
According to insiders, mallard and geoff are both implicated in the “hotel” thing the week before last and although it has not been confirmed, Shane Jones was wholly responsible for the primary school teacher thing that happened. There is talk that Russell will go down for the money thing as well as that thing that happened on a flight to auckland for the MT Albert thing. Police will be very shortly speaking to Anette about the car thing as well as the illegal importation of stuff. Three avadavats will be signed tomorrow to prove that during a meeting with the indian delegation some very dodgy things were discussed.
jesus sitting on a tea leaf, I have never seen some-one so desperately try and appear informed or even interesting.
I realise that this is going a bit fast for you but keep up. Clark finds out about field, sits on it for months and defends him. She finds out about DBP and sits on it for months and Winnie was defended for months. And right there was a little scottish idiot screaming innocent until proven guilty. Key gets the facts straight and acts within a week. So here is the thing. My dad always says its a good thing to remain silent and have people think you are stupid, than to open your gob and prove it.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Couldn’t have put it better myself Bok
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Whale did a good job on Close Up but the best bit was Goff being too scared to front on the programme with Whale, despite being invited, because Whale is nasty to the Labour party.
Diddums.
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Gee, the Christmas parties at Simpson Grierson must have been fun? – Richard Worth, Metiria Turei……….
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Patrick Starr said “Gee, the Christmas parties at Simpson Grierson must have been fun? – Richard Worth, Metiria Turei……….”
You’ve said enough Patrick – I was about to have dessert, but now I feel decidedly nauseous ……..
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Is the country as agog with this as the media are?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Is there a “Pork Chop” link to all this?
Vote:I hope more knowledgable bloggers than me can comment.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Which SOE board will Richard Worth be appointed to?
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 pm
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2467307/Goff-raised-earlier-complaint-about-Worth
Vote:Seems like Goff has behaved impeccably Mr key ? less so
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 pm
to replace worth, how
Vote:’bout a bloke good KB folk
like – come in veitchy!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 pm
silence is golden golden
Vote:June 3rd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
” I have never seen some-one so desperately try and appear informed or even interesting.”
Been looking in the mirror again diddums?
Vote:June 4th, 2009 at 1:06 am
WAIT a moment, what exactly is the Labour Party’s role in this? Another case of “stolen” emails perhaps?
Listen to Radio NZ Checkpoint & Mary Wilson’s interview with (a somewhat hestitant/nervous?) Phil Goff.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/ckpt/2009/06/03/labour_says_worth_resignationinevitable
@ 8 seconds into the interview:
Checkpoint: “What do you know of the allegations firstly?”.
Phil Goff: “Well I know very little about the current allegation on which ah his resignation was ah obviously sought by the Prime Minister ah other than what has been slowly drip-fed ah out from the PM and I think ah that’s part of the difficulties for this story ah this morning Mr Key said …….”.
@ 57 sec into the interview:
Phil Goff: “……….and indeed one such allegation ah that I received ah I privately referred to the PM to follow up because I was sufficiently disturbed about what the complainant had said about Dr Worth’s behaviour
THEN Phil Goff goes on to outline an incident from a complainant, referring (some 1 min 50 sec into the I/V) “that some of the emails that went in between Dr Worth and this woman were quite inappropriate”.
At 3’15 Phil Goff: “I’ve had the emails read to me…”.
At 3’26″ Checkpoint: “Ok so you got, you got told about this in May but when had it actually happenned?”.
Phil Goff: “Ah it had happenned ah over a period of time ah from ah really from late last year”.
Checkpoint: “Over several months?”.
Phil Goff: “Yes”.
NOW I don’t know if this has anything to do with the current situation (and apart from Phil Goff feeding the media i.e. Checkpoint, his line) it just seems a little bit interesting that emails were involved and in which Phil Goff was “read” the contents etc (how convenient to put a little distance on this from himself).
HOW did Labour get these emails?
From the woman herself? Will the woman be willing to allow the media to interview her to verify her side of the story?
Or hacked/stolen from the Parliamentary computer system perhaps?
NOW I’m not defending Richard Worth (he’s obviously a drop kick especially if Phil Goff’s allegations are true) but is there another disturbing angle to this?
Vote:June 4th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Dang editing time outs, missed the last line which would have asked:
Does Phil Goff/Labour know more than he is letting on?
Or inadvertantly letting on (as on Checkpoint) and thus the no show on Close Up?
How are these emails being sourced? And how stupid of politicians to be using (Parliamentary??) emails for alleged inappropriate behaviour, you just never know who will get their dirty little mits on them later!
Vote:June 4th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Looks like a Goff ambush to me – give something to the PM in confidence and then blurt it out when it doesn’t go as planned.
Phil “cough-it-up” Goff perhaps
John Key should take heed of the old saying:
Man fool me once – shame on him
Man fool me twice – shame on me
DON’T TRUST PHIL
Vote:June 4th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Tuija (159) Vote: 4 6 Says:
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 pm
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2467307/Goff-raised-earlier-complaint-about-Worth
Seems like Goff has behaved impeccably Mr key ? less so
No, Goff raised an allegation with Key about a labour activist who didn’t want to be named and hadn’t made a formal complaint. This complaint is something different. John Key has done the right thing. Goof has trying to make polictical capital from this and may end up looking like an egg.
Vote:June 4th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Brian Marshall (22) Vote: 0 0 Says:
June 4th, 2009 at 8:54 am
…….No, Goff raised an allegation with Key about a labour activist………
Activist? Then surely this labour party member must be well known – How do you define activist?
Vote: