Tamihere should give back his wheels

“Labour MP John Tamihere should do the right thing and return the Toyota Landcruiser that was paid for by the disadvantaged constituents he claims to represent,” says National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee.

“The Waipareira Trust shouldn’t have to hire repossession agents to get back the vehicle that its offshoot, Westland, paid for. Mr Tamihere has, at the very least, a moral obligation to return the car.”

Mr Brownlee is commenting on weekend reports of a rift between Mr Tamihere and the Trust over the ownership of the $42,000 vehicle.

“Most New Zealanders would agree with Trust Chief Executive Reg Ratahi who said it was ‘unusual’ that the former Cabinet Minister was allowed to keep the car.

“In the Douglas White report, Mr Tamihere admits he ‘did not think about who technically owned the vehicle’.

“Now he has had some time to reflect, I do hope Mr Tamihere does the right thing and gives it back.

“Perhaps the Prime Minister’s warm welcome back for her troublesome MP was premature?

“Surely Helen Clark should bring her MP into line.

“By tolerating this ongoing embarrassment, the Prime Minister is continuing to accept a blatant double standard within her Government,” says Mr Brownlee.

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