"Prime Minister Helen Clark is sending a dangerously mixed message to young people in hinting that former Labour Party President Ruth Dyson could be back in Cabinet within a year", said Young Nationals Chair Daniel Gordon.

"Ruth Dyson was grossly irresponsible by driving after having clearly drunk too much on Monday evening. Helen Clark now says it's okay to come back after a year in the sinbin. This says that the Prime Minister thinks its okay to drink, drive, and hold a senior government position. One has to ask what sort of message this sends young men who are disproportionately over represented in alcohol related road fatality statistics."

"Any other working person would be "gone burger" if caught either drinking on the job or convicted for drunk driving. Dyson not only has let down the integrity of the New Zealand Government but also the constituents she represents in her electorate."

"Successive Government's have gone to considerable lengths to make drink driving socially unacceptable. The Prime Minister has done untold damage in terms of the attitude she displays to someone who chose to flout a law that is there to protect New Zealanders from irresponsible road users."

"I call on Ruth Dyson to resign as an MP over her actions, and for Helen Clark to assure New Zealanders that she will not include Ruth Dyson in her cabinet at any time in the future," concluded Daniel Gordon.

For further information please contact Daniel Gordon on 021 2296812

Ends

-- Daniel Gordon Chairperson New Zealand Young Nationals http://www.youngnats.org.nz

Youth Vice President New Zealand National Party http://www.national.org.nz

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