The PM's Presser: The Richard Worth Saga Continues

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• Scoop Audio: Audio on Demand of NZ Prime Minister John Key's weekly press conference.

Today’s post cabinet presser saw more than 25 minutes of inquiry into the Richard Worth saga. Key refused to pin point exactly why he stood Worth down, continuing to say only that the MP's actions were not those “befitting a minister”.

Key explained that he would not meet with the woman at the center of the earlier complaint regarding inappropriate text messages until he had viewed the messages in question. Without documented proof the meeting would be Worth’s word against hers and that was not something he was prepared to engage in.

When asked, Key said Worth’s phone records had not been checked to confirm whether the woman’s account was correct - that Worth had bombarded her with more than 100 texts and calls over three months. Key said that when he interviewed Worth about the matter he had referred to only several calls.

The Super City and details of related cabinet minutes also got discussed, along with the Mt Albert by-election and the prospect of a capital gains tax.

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