The
blowtorch was back on David Benson-Pope in parliament on Tuesday,
with opposition MPs on the attack over bullying allegations against
the cabinet minister.
Questions from the media were being asked over Benson-Pope's
handling of the issue - however Benson-Pope was refusing to
respond.
The Prime Minister was also tired of the questions. "I don't think you were at the press conference yesterday when I answered 31 questions and I think there is very little more to be said," Helen Clark told reporters.
However the opposition was itching to ask questions about how Benson-Pope dealt with the allegations.
"Does the minister stand by his statement to the house on the 12th of May 2005 concerning the tennis ball incident - that I find such allegations ridiculous and I refute them - can he please give us a straight answer," National MP Judith Collins asked in parliament.
"I repeat that I am one of the 19 people that do either not recall the alleged events or do not believe they happened," Benson-Pope replied.
On Monday police made public their investigation into claims of assault against Benson-Pope when he was a Dunedin High school teacher in 1982.
He was not charged but opposition MPs believe he should still face the music over his handling of the affair.
His press secretary leak selected passages of the police file favourable to the minister to selected media.
Benson-Pope says in hindsight he recognises that releasing details was not the wisest course of action.
"As the prime minister has earlier commented the staff member involved was in error and this is now a staff disciplinary matter," Benson-Pope says.
Clark has made it clear she is not happy with that leak but is still supporting Benson-Pope.
Benson-Pope may have his bosses confidence but with the opposition
claiming he has changed his tune from outright denial, to saying he
does not recall the alleged events - the question they are asking
is: is he losing the public's confidence?
