Peter Dunne's Letter From British American Tobacco

Wednesday, 15 October 2003, 4:36 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimmons was refused permission to table the following letter in Parliament today during question time. The attempted tabling came during a question to Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen from Peter Dunne concerning the Ministry of Health's funding of anti-tobacco legislation lobbying efforts.

United Party Leader Peter Dunne promptly sought leave to make a personal explanation. He then explained that the letter dated back to 1994 and related to reimbursement of luncheon expenses incurred by himself and his family while on a private visit to the United Kingdom.

United Party MP Paul Adams also sought leave to make a personal explanation to explain that the Paul Adams who signed the letter was not him.

THE LETTER READS…

Dear Mr Dunne,

Paul Adams has asked me to send you the enclosed &100 to help pay for your "Awayday". I do hope you will enjoy yourselves.

If at all possible, I should be grateful if you could get receipts for your expenses and pass them on to the driver - even large companies have to account for their money!

Enjoy your visit to England.

Yours Sincerely,

Jean Macy
Secretary to Paul Adams

ENDS

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Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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