Don Brash MP National Party Leader

Clark's lack of faith in Field laid bare

Helen Clark's lack of faith in Taito Philip Field's fitness to remain as an MP was laid bare in Parliament today, says National Leader Don Brash.

"Helen Clark refused to answer my question about whether she thought Mr Field was fit to remain an MP," says Dr Brash.

"Instead, Speaker Margaret Wilson intervened and said Helen Clark had no ministerial responsibility for that question.

"But the lack of an answer from the Prime Minister is extremely telling. She has a lame duck MP sitting in her Caucus.

"Her strategy of orchestrating a cover-up via the toothless Ingram inquiry, and then toughing it out, has been an abject failure.

"Last weekend, two media outlets showed up the Ingram inquiry's lack of effectiveness with their new evidence against Mr Field.

"Helen Clark owes the public - and Parliament - a proper explanation of her MP's actions. An independent inquiry with full powers to call witnesses and obtain documents is required.

"Helen Clark claimed the Ingram inquiry was a comprehensive report on whether there was a ministerial conflict of interest, but the questions that require answers relate to Mr Field's behaviour as an MP.

"She cannot continue to obfuscate over the Field affair forever.

"This issue will not go away until the facts come out."

ENDS

© Scoop Media