28 September 2006

Labour has never heard of Turia's claims

Cabinet Minister Steve Maharey said today that Labour had never heard of Tariana Turia's claim her party was offered a bribe in the lead-up to the election.

"Labour has certainly never heard of this," Steve Maharey said. "Party President Mike Williams confirmed today he has never heard of it. If we had we would have wanted nothing to do with it.

"Making this kind of offer is potentially a breach of the law. If there is any truth in the claim, Mrs Turia should take the only decent piece of advice Don Brash has ever given her and name names.

"Certainly, she should have gone to the authorities with her concerns at the time rather than waiting a year to mention it in an interview."

Steve Maharey said her claim was also odd as Helen Clark had made it clear at the time the Maori Party was 'last cab off the rank' in terms of coalition partners.

ENDS

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