25 March 2002

More Questions Need To Be Asked About Gregory Fortuin Alliance Meetings

The Prime Minister is dreaming if she thinks more questions are not going to be asked about Race Relations Conciliator Gregory Fortuin's involvement with the current warring factions within the Alliance, says National Party Leader Bill English.

"Helen Clark can not dismiss the two meetings he had with the Alliance by saying what public servants do in their private life is their own business.

"When someone as prominent as Gregory Fortuin acts as a mediator at two meetings involving key Alliance people the public have a right to know who asked him.

"No-one is going to accept he suddenly thought," what shall I do in my precious spare time today? Oh I know I will go and mediate for the Alliance." That is just not credible and Helen Clark knows it.

"The position of Race Relations Conciliator is meant to be one of total political neutrality and Gregory Fortuin should not be getting involved in propping up the Government and the mess surrounding the Alliance.

"National will be pushing to find out just who did ask Gregory Fortuin. Is it more than a coincidence that he is involved with Jim Anderton's Industry New Zealand and Kiwibank," asks Mr English.

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