Politics Rules Over Due Process

Wednesday 3 Nov 2004

Rodney Hide - Press Releases - Other

ACT New Zealand Leader Rodney Hide said today that John Tamihere's so-called resignation showed once again that Prime Minister Helen Clark put political expedience over due process.

"John Tamihere's Golden Koha has become too hot for the PM to handle. The result? John Tamihere walks the plank. He didn't volunteer - he was pushed. So much for Helen Clark's commitment to due process," Mr Hide said.

"Here's what Prime Minister Helen Clark told Parliament yesterday:

"I am suspending judgment on those matters, and on confidence, until that inquiry is completed."

"I will determine Mr Tamihere's future, after consultation with senior colleagues and after Mr White QC has reported to me. Due process is being observed".

"As I have indicated in answer to a number of previous questions, due process is under way. An inquiry is establishing the facts, and then I will make a determination".

"That is why I am saying that first we will have an inquiry, establish facts, and then we will make a decision".

"I am going through due process and establishing what the facts are".

"Helen Clark's commitment to `due process' was all baloney. John Tamihere got too hot to handle. Helen Clark had him resign. And she did so on a day when the news would be filled with the Presidential elections.

"The John Tamihere scandal is about political accountability and it's about the Prime Minister's performance. It isn't over by a long shot. Prime Minister Helen Clark won't escape scrutiny just by having John Tamihere resign," Mr Hide said.

ENDS

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