Sue

MORONEY

Labour List MP

20 December 2011 MEDIA STATEMENT
Key must hold robust investigation in Tolley’s handling of education issues

Prime Minister John Key must hold a robust investigation into Cabinet Minister Anne Tolley’s handling of questions around a Northland principal who was stood down for serious misconduct, Labour List MP, Sue Moroney says.

“It is clear that Anne Tolley was not correct when she told Parliament that the principal concerned had never been suspended.

“Not only did the Minister either accidentally or deliberately mislead Parliament, she also issued a media statement saying that the Ministry of Education was making formal complaints against media who reported the issue and accused another school principal of making false claims to the media.

“It is obvious that Anne Tolley has been engaged in serious butt covering, because she has failed to correct false statements in Parliament and in the media.

“Anne Tolley on behalf of National launched a scathing attack on a media outlet, a school principal and Labour because they dared asked questions about whether it was appropriate to have a school principal who had been stood down for serious misconduct acting as an expert advisor in schools.

“She claimed we had made false accusations, when recently-released disciplinary proceedings show we were correct and the Minister was wrong.

“As soon as Anne Tolley became aware the statements she had were wrong she should have corrected them. Instead she has tried to weasel out of taking responsibility for her actions.

“It’s now up to the Prime Minister to hold his former Minister of Education and current Minister of Police up to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

“She should be made to apologise to all those involved, as well as to Parliament,” Sue Moroney said.

ENDS

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