National Leader says speculation 'mischievous'

National Party Leader Don Brash has described a newspaper report suggesting that Simon Power will lose his defence portfolio responsibilities as 'mischievous'.

"I have met with Simon Power this morning. He apologised to me for the references in a National Party Conference speech which have been the subject of public comment, and he has apologised to the Caucus.

"A sentence in the speech constituted an uncharacteristic lapse of judgment. I have accepted his apology and so has our Caucus.

"I continue to have confidence in Simon both as Defence spokesman and as a very senior front-bench colleague. I therefore intend to make no changes to my shadow Cabinet until later in the year," says Dr Brash.

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