TV1 6pm News Headlines (First Segment)

Golden Handshake Allegations - Lee And PM Deny Allegations - Samuels Rape Allegations - Ecstasy And Phantasy - Plea To Find Toddler Killer - Petrol Rise And Anderton Reaction - - Helicopter Crash - Alec Guinness Dies

GOLDEN HANDSHAKE ALLEGATIONS: National MP Murray McCully has released a document which alleges Sandra Lee and Prime Minister Helen Clark were responsible for a six figure golden handshake to a Local Government New Zealand executive. McCully alleges the executive Carol Stigley resigned because her personal relationship with the two broke down.

- LEE AND PM DENY ALLEGATIONS: Both Sandra Lee and the Prime Minister have denied the allegations saying they have nothing to do with affairs at the independently run body. Both have accused McCulley of indulging in cheap political point scoring. Meanwhile, McCully says he will endeavour to reveal more documents to prove the charges.

- SAMUELS RAPE ALLEGATIONS: The police report into rape allegations against former Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels is now on the desk of Police Commissioner Rob Robertson.

- ECSTASY AND PHANTASY: There's renewed concern about the prevalence of designer drugs following the overdose of three people from a cocktail of ecstasy and Phantasy in an Auckland nightclub on Sunday night. One of the three, a woman was released from intensive care in Auckland hospital today.

- PLEA TO FIND TODDLER KILLER: There are pleas tonight from tribal elders in the Wairarapa to help find the killer of a 23 month old Carterton toddler.

- PETROL RISE AND ANDERTON REACTION: Petrol and diesel prices are set to rise 3c to all time highs with BP and Mobil announcing the increases today. In making the rise BP spokesperson cited the higher international costs of petroleum as the main cause. Meanwhile, Alliance leader and Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton has said he is unconvinced at the reasons the oil companies have given for the rises

- HELICOPTER CRASH: Across the Tasman, two New Zealanders have had a lucky escape from a helicopter crash.

- ALEC GUINNESS DIES: The acting world is tonight mourning the death of British thespian, Sir Alec Guinness.

© Scoop Media