The Crown's appeal of Christine Rankin's damages case has political fingerprints all over it, National's State Services spokesperson Roger Sowry said today.

"It shows the lengths that Labour is prepared to go to prevent what looks like being a highly embarrassing story for the Government being told.

"Today I received a petition signed by 958 Work and Income New Zealand staff in support of Ms Rankin.

"The petition shows that despite not having the support of her Minister Christine Rankin's staff support the work that she does.

"The Government clearly doesn't want this heard under the Employment Relations Act, their own legislation, because it reflect badly on the Government and its Ministers," Mr Sowry said.

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