The Prime Minister must immediately explain why she unfairly destroyed the political career of the former Maori Affairs Minister, Dover Samuels, the New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters said today.

“When Helen Clark first made the allegations about Dover Samuels public, he voluntarily stepped aside while police carried out an investigation.

“Then she suddenly changed her position and sacked him. When pushed, she also said that she had been aware of the allegations since January but had done nothing about them until there was a threat they would be made public.

“Throughout this police investigation there has been a steady stream of leaks to the media, making the wildest and unsubstantiated allegations, and all aimed at the unprotected back of the former Minister.

“Dover Samuels was not given any chance of a fair trial. He was denied any common justice by his Leader who appears to have had a secret political agenda throughout this whole sorry incident to replace him as Minister.

“I know that these allegations are false and so does the Prime Minister. Helen Clark should tell New Zealand why she has one set of standards for Dover Samuels and another set of principles for everyone else.

“This is a matter of common justice which affects all New Zealanders,“ said Mr Peters.

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