-
Richard Worth - Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
-
Related
Former Minister Richard Worth is now under threat of being expelled from his own caucus.
The Prime Minister is furious at further allegations that his MP sent sexually explicit texts to a married woman and may have offered her a job in return for a romantic relationship.
Although Worth has already lost his job as a minister, his expulsion from his caucus will be decided over whether a complaint is laid against him.
"I can't answer that question until I know whether there's going to be a police complaint laid and ultimately whether that charge would lead through to a court case, and I don't know that yet," John Key told ONE News.
The Prime Minister is threatening to take further action against Worth after more evidence emerged of reportedly sexually explicit texts and phone calls to a married Indian woman.
Claims have also emerged that Worth offered the woman a position as his Ethnic Affairs Advisor in return for a romantic relationship after meeting her at a coffee shop at Auckland's Sylvia Park.
The text messages reportedly suggest the woman wear a see through sari; that they go swimming together; that they have a holiday in Goa; and that they go on an Indian trade mission.
Labour leader Phil Goff has known about the contact since it started last November, and raised the issue with John Key a few weeks ago.
But the messages were not handed over, and the Prime Minister took no action after worth strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Goff says that although "that puts the complainant who brought her story to me in the position of being regarded as a liar, she is not."
ONE News understands John Key was aware at the time of the complaint of other concerns about Worth's conduct.
Although a meeting was set up between the complainant and John Key, who initially seemed eager, he now says no meeting will take place with him until his staff see the text messages first.