Maurice Williamson not ruling out a return

Disgraced MP Maurice Williamson told TVNZ’s Q+A programme he is not ruling out a return to a Ministerial role after resigning his portfolios this week.

Mr Williamson told Susan Wood he doesn’t think it is time to call it quits.

“I think the best judge of that will be the voters of Pakuranga. I put my trust in them any day, and if they said to me by way of the ballot box get out, I'd been gone within seconds. I don’t ever want to go into parliament as a list MP.”

When asked if it seems the rest of his career would be on the back benches, Mr Williamson replied, “that’s a bit prejudicial Susan.”

He said, “Well how many ministers have ever had to step down from their position and then have come back again?”

When asked, “So you think you’ll be back again?”

Mr Williamson said, “I didn’t say that, I just said how many have, it possible, it happens.”

Mr Williamson said, “It's totally in the hands of others and their decision making, but I don’t think you should rule that out,”

Mr Williamson also denies claims of cronyism.

“I don’t help just people because they're rich party donors. I want to get that right out of the way. I've had people come to my constituency office that are as poor as a church mouse.”

Mr Williamson said he had “ way better times” in his life than right now.

“it's been rough on family, wife taken a real hard hit, the kids are all –they’ve gotta go to school tomorrow and they’ll all cop it at school I guarantee it. Staff, I've had staff that have worked for me for 27 years are in tears.”

Mr Williamson said “I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have made the call.”

You can view the full interview here.

http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/ta-tvnz-index-group-2556429

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