Dover Makes Personal Statement

Former Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels has made a further personal statement to Parliament declaring previous criminal convictions against him.

Mr Samuels said he was making the statement in response to media inquiries over the weekend about further allegations of criminal offences against him.

He said he had incurred five convictions over his 61 years, including a theft conviction in 1960 resulting in three months imprisonment.

Mr Samuels also declared spending 21 days in prison in 1961 for selling liquor without a license, a common assault conviction in 1984 where he was fined $250, a fine of $130 in 1987 for exceeding the speed limit, and a fine of $250 in 1988 for careless driving.

Before he tabled his record of convictions in the House, Mr Samuels made a pointed statement directed towards those making accusations against him.

“Mr Speaker, I am advised that the police do not keep records of cases where the person is found innocent and not guilty.

“I have also thought, along with most other people of this country, that files or records of innocent people are expunged and the law prohibited their disclosure.”

The police investigation of Mr Samuels, which now involves rape accusations, continues.

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