Bill English MP
National Party Deputy Leader

24 January 2008

Something fishy at ‘The Standard’

National Party Deputy Leader Bill English says Labour must still reveal the full extent of its relationship with an ‘independent’ anti-National web-site, which has been busted using an internet protocol address owned by the Labour Party.

“Either Labour knew what was happening and approve or they didn’t. If it was all kosher, why are technical experts today saying this covert web-site has been relocated?

“Who is behind this web-site? There is widespread speculation that trade union supporters of Labour are covertly helping to resource ‘The Standard’. If this is true, then there are more questions for Labour to answer.

“Union members may resent their fees being used to run a covert political campaign.”

Mr English says assurances from Mike Williams that any expenses incurred would be included in Labour’s electoral return need to be challenged.

“Labour told the Electoral Commission before the 2005 election that they would include the pledge card spending in their election return. After the election, Labour and Helen Clark reneged on that promise.

“They wanted the issue buried until after the election, so made promises they had no intention of keeping.

“Later, in a self-serving display of arrogance, Helen Clark went on to pass retrospective legislation to make legal, what was illegal.”

Mr English says in the case of ‘The Standard’, Labour has been caught out doing what it has accused others of doing.

“It’s a classic double-standard. Labour’s support for this unauthorised, anonymous, covert campaign makes a mockery of its promises for electoral transparency.”

ENDS

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