Clark Should Pay Defamation Costs Herself

Thursday 10th May 2001 Richard Prebble Media Release -- Other

Helen Clark should personally pay the $55,000 agreed to in an out-of-court settlement with John Yelash, and all other costs associated with the defamation case, ACT leader Richard Prebble says.

Mr Prebble said it would be outrageous if taxpayers had to foot the bill for the $55,000 and probably another $100,000 in legal costs in the case that resulted from a slip of the tongue by Ms Clark, for which she has now apologised.

“No one in Cabinet told her to say it, she wasn’t saying it in her capacity as Prime Minister,” he said.

“If Ms Clark has to pay out of her own pocket, it might curb her tendency to make personal attacks.

“There are 55,000 reasons why the ACT Party thinks she should pay.”

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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