Media Release

24 August 2001

ONE LAW FOR MARGARET'S FRIENDS, AND ANOTHER FOR EVERYONE ELSE

New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, is again highlighting the nepotistic tendencies of Attorney General Margaret Wilson over the resignation of Ella Henry.

“We have witnessed the farcical scene of Ms Wilson saying that she considered the matter closed, whilst at the same time Ms Henry herself was resigning. It was only after exposure of the events that Ms Wilson accepted the resignation.

“This Minister has shown again and again that she is willing to appoint then protect her friends at the expense of proper procedures and accountability,” said Mr Peters.

“Her nepotism knows no bounds. She has made a reputation of appointing her friends to all manner of government jobs, sometimes against official advice, and now it looks as though she is even willing to protect her friends in the face of indefensible prejudice.

“I believe that the Prime Minister must seriously consider whether someone who is so willing to quickly overlook such unacceptable behaviour, even when the offending person has resigned, should continue to hold such a pivotal position.

“Ms Wilson has lost almost all her credibility over this issue, and she has long since lost the confidence of the legal profession and Parliament,” concluded Mr Peters.

ENDS

Since coming to office Ms Wilson has appointed:
- Her friend Roz Noonan as HRC
- Diane Menzies to the environment Court
- Diverted legal contestable ‘education funds’ into Trade Unions
- Appointed her friends Susan Bathgate to the Employment Court, against advice.
- Appointed friend Ronald Young to High Court Judge

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