Gerry Brownlee MP National Party Deputy Leader

03 August 2005

Helen Clark must release statement of evidence

National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee says Helen Clark must release her statement of evidence in the speeding motorcade case.

"This looks a lot like Paintergate. The PM refuses to be interviewed or answer questions, then gets her lawyers to draw up a statement.

"Does this statement support Helen Clark's public comments?

"Was Helen Clark cautioned by Police when she signed that statement to Police?

"If she was cautioned and told her rights under the Bill of Rights, then this means she was considered a suspect by Police at that time.

"Other passengers in the Prime Ministerial convoy are being charged even though they were not driving.

"Helen Clark must release the material. She has not been served with a witness summons and she is not a defendant, so there's no reason to withhold it from the public.

"It's just impossible to accept that Helen Clark did not realise how fast her motorcade was going. This car was travelling close to twice the open road speed limit at times. There is absolutely no way you couldn't notice that."

Mr Brownlee says Jim Sutton clearly knew. He has been quoted as saying, 'I knew they were driving faster than I would have driven but I couldn't see the speedometer because I was sitting behind the driver.'

"The Prime Minister had it within her power to take responsibility and save her minders from charges and a potential conviction. Instead, she is prepared to let them take the rap for doing what they believed was their job.

"Helen Clark is trying yet again to wriggle free of responsibility. It's a disgrace," says Mr Brownlee.

"At a time when the country is fearing for young drivers at very high speeds, what sort of example is the Prime Minister setting by pretending she didn't notice the speed of her convoy?"

ENDS

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