Tony Ryall MP National Party Law & Order Spokesman

12 November 2004

PM should put her hand up for the crime

If police passengers can be prosecuted over Helen Clark's speeding motorcade, why should the Prime Minister escape all blame asks National Party Law and Order spokesman Tony Ryall.

"One person had ultimate responsibility for the motorcade, and that was the Prime Minister - without her there would have been no motorcade. Helen Clark should put her hand up for this sorry episode.

"It is a travesty that the police get charged, but the Prime Minister refuses to take the rap.

"Day after day the police protect her life. But still the Prime Minister will not apologise for dropping the police in it.

"It is spineless that Helen Clark has ducked for cover, leaving her driver and her police escort to take the rap.

"The only reason they were speeding was to meet the Prime Minister's tight schedule, even though it later emerged she would rather have been at home reading a book than at the Bledisloe Cup rugby match.

"If that were really the case, the Prime Minister should have indicated she was in no hurry. Her claim that she was unaware how fast they were going is hard to believe.

"You don't have to be Michael Schumacher to know when you're travelling at 150kph," says Mr Ryall

"I endorse the sentiments of the Police Association which says those who've been singled out for prosecution were doing what they thought was required of them. These officers were just trying to help Helen Clark meet her recreational engagements. But now that things have turned sour, the Prime Minister refuses to take responsibility" said Mr Ryall.

ENDS

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