Social Services Minister, Steve Maharey, has finally admitted that the Judge in the Christine Rankin case disbelieved his evidence, but he still doesn't want to accept the Judge's criticism, National's Social Services spokesperson, Bob Simcock, said today.

"In Parliament yesterday, the Minister denied that Chief Judge Tom Goddard disbelieved his evidence. This was despite the Prime Minister saying that Mr Maharey had taken the Judge's criticism on board.

"The Minister's arrogance is beyond belief. This afternoon, having considered his statements and in fear of a breach of privilege, he was forced to make a personal statement to Parliament agreeing that the Judge did, in fact, disbelieve his evidence.

"But the Minister is still continuing to insist the Judge was wrong to criticise him.

"If he simply accepted the criticism, people would be willing to move on. But they will not tolerate the fact that Mr Maharey was happy to see Christine Rankin attacked, but too arrogant to accept his own judgement.

"Helen Clark says Mr Maharey has taken the judgement on board. It is clear he hasn't," Bob Simcock said.

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