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Scoop News: Taito Field To Defend Bribery Charges
Mangere MP Taito Phillip Field held a press conference at midday Thursday where he announced he would defend police charges of bribery. He said he has faith in the New Zealand judicial system and is confident he will be cleared of all wrong-doing.
AUDIO: Taito Phillip Field Reads Statement.
Police have asked the Auckland Crown Solicitor to start the process to lay charges of bribery against Taito Phillip Field, M.P. Detective Superintendent Malcolm Burgess said Police were seeking leave from the High Court to proceed with 14 charges of bribery by a Member of Parliament. Approval to lay the charges under Section 103 of the Crimes Act 1961 must come from a Judge of the High Court.
While facing the media at midday, Taito Phillip Field said: "I just want to make it clear to the New Zealand public and to everyone in this room that in my 14 years as a member of Parliament I have never taken a bribe, I have never taken any money.
Taito Phillip Field: "I have never asked anybody, requested anybody or suggested anybody in any way that they do anything for me in return for my help, any help or work as a Member of Parliament.
"That simple truth and fact is what gives me the confidence that I haven't done anything wrong, that I'm innocent of what has been alleged and also that I have not broken the law in this regard. And that's the bottom line really.
"I am going to defend whatever the police decide to do. I have every confidence in the defence team I have," Taito Phillip Field said.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said: "I think it is important that we uphold the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Clearly these are very serious charges. He has indicated that he will defence them as is of course his right."
She added: "Whether he decides to defend them as a Member of Parliament is up to him."
ENDS
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