National Leader says speculation 'mischievous'
National Party Leader Don Brash has described a newspaper report suggesting that Simon Power will lose his defence
portfolio responsibilities as 'mischievous'.
"I have met with Simon Power this morning. He apologised to me for the references in a National Party Conference speech
which have been the subject of public comment, and he has apologised to the Caucus.
"A sentence in the speech constituted an uncharacteristic lapse of judgment. I have accepted his apology and so has our
Caucus.
"I continue to have confidence in Simon both as Defence spokesman and as a very senior front-bench colleague. I
therefore intend to make no changes to my shadow Cabinet until later in the year," says Dr Brash.