TV1 6pm News Bulletin (First Segment)

Dover Samuels Is Sacked - Dover’s Response - National Response - Prebble’s Allegations - Contenders For Maori Affairs Role - Flooding In The North - Olympic Torch Underwater- Mark Todd Allegations

DOVER SAMUELS IS SACKED: The Prime Minister has sacked Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels after he refused to resign over allegations into his sexual involvement with a teenager in the 1980s.

DOVER’S RESPONSE: Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement an emotional Mr. Samuels said he felt judged before his guilt, or innocence was proven by a police investigation into the matter. However he said he would not retaliate against the move. Mr. Samuels said he would remain as an MP in Parliament.

NATIONAL RESPONSE: The removal of Mr. Samuels has angered some Maori both inside Parliament and around the country. Labour MP John Tamihere has said believes the decision was premature, while Alliance MP Willie Jackson took a more mild line on the PM’s move. A Tai Tokerau spokesperson said she supported Helen Clark’s decision however difficult it was to make.

PREBBLE’S ALLEGATIONS: Helen Clark has said ACT Leader Richard Prebble has Amercianised the style of New Zealand politics, fundamentally changing the acceptable topics for scrutiny by Parliament and the media.

CONTENDERS FOR MAORI AFFAIRS ROLE: Acting Minister of Maori Affairs Parekura Horomia is looking at being first in line to take over the role, while the Alliance’s Sandra Lee is also a contender.

FLOODING IN THE NORTH: Torrential rain and strong winds are causing flooding in the far north, with some residents having to evacuate their homes. The met officers say the weather is likely to turn for the worse with more residents having to be evacuated.

OLYMPIC TORCH UNDERWATER: The Olympic Torch is underwater on its detour to Sydney taking a tour of the Great Barrier reef. Scientists devised a special chemical formula to keep the torch burning underwater.

MARK TODD ALLEGATIONS: Champion equestrian Mark Todd is still welcome for the 2000 Sydney Olympics despite cocaine and sex allegations made about him in a British tabloid six weeks ago. Todd has not yet denied the allegations made against him which the tabloid claims were caught on video.

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