Today Mauri Pacific MP Tukuroirangi Morgan used the general debate to accuse Labour MP Trevor Mallard of illegally bugging Aotearoa Television Network for political purposes.
He further accused Mr Mallard of knowingly using a "spliced" together tape recording to discredit him.
The matter is subject to a defamation action taken by Morgan against Mallard.
The following background comes from the Scoop Archive - login and use SCOOP GOLD for much more - circa March 1997.
MARCH - 11 - Radio New
Zealand
Defamation writ from Tukoroirangi Morgan about
will be served on a cooperative Trevor Mallard at 2pm
today.
MARCH 5 - TV3
Parliament told by Labours Trevor
Mallard that NZ First MP Tukoroirangi Morgan stood to make
lots of money if the $4 million grant to Aotearoa Television
Network went ahead. Claims he has tape to back him up.Tuku
Morgan issues a statement categorically denying any
financial connection to the TV station.
Later in the General Debate the government made much play of the fact that Labour said very little to defend Mr Mallard.
Mallard
eventually turned up in the house to make a personal
explanation and was denied leave to do
so.