Bill English MP

National Party Deputy Leader

20 July 2008

Did Mike Williams broker Glenn donation to Peters?

Helen Clark must explain what involvement Labour Party President Mike Williams had in the $100,000 donation by Labour donor Owen Glenn to Winston Peters’ legal costs, says National Deputy Leader Bill English.

“Mr Williams said in March 2006 he was considering making a personal contribution to help pay Mr Peters’ outstanding legal bills after losing the Tauranga seat election petition against Bob Clarkson.

“Labour’s president was quoted in a newspaper article (attached) as saying: ‘We were deeply disturbed by the decision and awarding of costs. I will think about helping him myself because I just don’t think it is fair’.

“On Friday night Mr Peters admitted that Mr Glenn had given $100,000 in 2006 to help pay his legal costs for that election petition.

“Mr Glenn and Labour have a deep and ongoing relationship.  Mr Glenn got a gong in the New Year’s Honours list this year and has admitted he gave $500,000 to Labour before the 2005 election.  He is also seeking the honorary consul post in Monaco.

“All this begs many questions, including what role Mr Williams took in brokering the donation by Mr Glenn to Mr Peters’ legal case, and when that happened.

“Mr Williams has been silent since earlier this year when the Mr Glenn’s interest-free loan to Labour was revealed.

“Helen Clark cannot escape questions on this issue.  Helen Clark and Winston Peters both supported the Electoral Finance Act, because they said they believed in greater transparency for political donations.

“But, so far, Helen Clark has failed to answer the questions this whole issue raises.

“She should be explaining why she took no action whatsoever to get to the bottom of the contradictory claims this week involving her Foreign Minister and Mr Glenn - when she or someone in Labour could easily have phoned Mr Glenn.

“She should be explaining whether she’s in fact happy that her Foreign Minister has acted ethically and responsibly in meeting his disclosure obligations as a Minister in her Government.

“And she should be explaining why Mr Glenn thinks he’s in the running for the honorary consul post, and whether she considers the fact that he’s made a substantial donation to Mr Peters’ legal bills will make any difference.”

ends
 

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