TV1 News 6pm News (First Segment)

Three Leaders Handle Samuels Allegations - Samuels At Home - Helen Clark On Samuels Affair - Pm Aware Of Earlier Investigation - Helen Clark On Waipareira - Fiji Hostage Negotiations Continue - Tongan Player Goes Awol

THREE LEADERS HANDLE SAMUELS ALLEGATIONS: The Prime Minister Minister fo Maori Affairs Dover Samuels and ACT Leader Richard Prebble have all been fending off criticism of their handling of Mr. Samuels’ sex allegations today.

SAMUELS AT HOME: Minister of Maori Affairs Dover Samuels was at home with his family today when the further revelations surrounding the allegations broke today. Helen Clark answered allegations about her from Auckland and ACT Leader Richard Prebble was also absent from Parliament. Both Helen Clark and Dover Samuels have called for Richard Prebble to resign if Mr. Samuels is cleared by the inquiry.

HELEN CLARK ON SAMUELS AFFAIR: In Parliament Acting Leader Of The Opposition Wyatt Creech grilled Finance Minister Michael Cullen over the PM’s handling of the issue. Prime Minister Clark has said that Mr. Samuels informed her of the situation in February this year, but she did not act as he assured her the allegations were untrue.

PM AWARE OF EARLIER INVESTIGATION: One News discovered today that the Prime Minister heard of a police inquiry Samuels allegations earlier this year - regarding possible extortion attempts from the woman’s mother against Mr. Samuels.

HELEN CLARK ON WAIPAREIRA: Helen Clark’s handling of allegations surrounding the Waipareira Trust is also under scrutiny today after a man fingered by former Waipareira Trust Head MP John Tamihere reported to a select committee on the issue today.

FIJI HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE: Meanwhile in Fiji, the crisis negotiations looks to continue after speculation today the Fijian Military and George Speight would reach an agreement allowing the freeing of the 31 hostages.

TONGAN PLAYER GOES AWOL: A member of the Tongan national rugby union team has gone AWOL, failing to show for his flight back to Tonga this afternoon. The team is trying to find the player who is understood to be worried about the reception his playing in the test against the All Blacks will be received at home.

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