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The government is considering launching an official inquiry into allegations that the Exclusive Brethren hired a private investigator to look into the Labour Party.
Private investigator Wayne Idour was allegedly asked to shadow Prime Minister Helen Clark, her husband Peter Davis and senior Labour cabinet ministers.
The revelation has prompted outrage.
"I think we're looking at the worst politics I've ever seen in New Zealand," says Clark.
National Party leader Don Brash says he speaks with Exclusive Brethren members and had a private meeting with them this year where they raised concerns about the Labour government. But he insists they did not discuss shadowing "or anything which was remotely improper."
Idour is now accusing Labour of improper behaviour including
using detectives to dig up dirt on National.
"I did hear a rumour during the election campaign last year that I
was being followed. I also heard a rumour that John Keys' rubbish
had been gone through by a man in a suit at an early hour of the
morning but frankly we're not able to confirm those rumours, and I
didn't think Labour would stoop to that sort of dirty tactic," says
Brash.
Labour denies snooping on the opposition and is questioning Idour's credibility.
"He's a guy who has been in my office over the years and has always been preoccupied with some conspiracy theory or another," says Labour cabinet minister Pete Hodgson.
Hodgson claims Brash has no option other than to resign.
He says that prior to the last election Brash spoke about
wanting New Zealand to embrace mainstream values. But Hodgson says
this ideal is at odds with Brash's continued ties with the
Exclusive Brethren.
