National leader Don Brash has admitted he knew Exclusive Brethren members were going to distribute brochures which call for a change of government.
Brash has previously refused to answer whether he knew about the brochures.He now says he met with members of the apolitical group two or three times and on one of those occasions they told him about the pamphlets.
"The Exclusive Brethren told me sometime back they were fed up with this government and would be distributing some pamphlets," Brash said.
When asked
if he knew the Exclusive Brethren were going to do a maildrop in
favour of National, Brash said: "It's not in favour of National.
Look, the Exclusive Brethren like many other people in this country
detest this lousy government. I detest this lousy
government."
On Close Up Brash said the first time he saw the anti-Greens
pamphlet was on Monday by when Green Party co-leeader Rod Donald
showed it to him.
"I did not know the pamplet I was shown this week was put out by
the Brethren. I knew it could have been, but it's not my position
to dob in the Brethren," Brash said.
The
pamphlets, which criticise Labour and the Greens, have been widely
distributed and members of the Exclusive Brethren say they printed
and distributed them.
Brash said he "had an idea" the pamphlets could have been
produced by the Exclusive Brethren, but said it's not
his responsibility to verify this.
"I don't accept that I've misled the public and I'm not going to apologise."
The Greens say the pamphlets misrepresent their policies and they have asked the Chief Electoral Officer to investigate them. "I think it's very very worrying that a person who wants to be prime minister of New Zealand can't tell the truth," co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said.
Prime Minister Helen Clark is questioning whether the Exclusive Brethren has influenced National's policy as well as raising questions about Brash's credibility.
She said it is a scandal and raises questions about whether National's policies are for sale. National is now in grave danger of exceeding election spending limits because the pamphlets directly encourage people to support their policies, Clark said.
The Exclusive Brethren won't comment further, saying its 20 minute news conference was enough.
Meanwhile, Brash is trying to sidestep the controversy by accusing trade unions of a similar smear campaign against National.
The chief electoral officer is investigating whether the $500,000 spent by sect members should be part of National's budget. However, the true cost of the controversy may reveal itself on election day.
