Key says he has nothing to hide 

National leader John Key says he has got nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to his past business dealings despite what he is describing as a government-led smear campaign.
 
Prime Minister Helen Clark blames the media for the recent attacks, not her government.

Labour has had plenty to say about Key's credibility and his business dealings.

"Tell the truth Mr Key, tell the truth," said Phil Goff, Defence Minister in parliament on August 8.

Key says it is a well-choreographed government smear campaign.

But Clark says her people are not behind it - it's the media.

"As one who has been constantly, viciously, personally attacked for many, many years, I find it a little strange now that the National Party is bleating when someone who puts their hand up for wanting the top job comes under scrutiny from the media," Clark says.

"Labour's fingerprints are all over it. Their ministers have been boasting on numerous occasions about these issues," says Key.

But Labour says Key has even outed himself recently.

"Everyone's accorded us with having developed a strategy which is very flattering. The truth of the matter is that John Key has started these stories," says Pete Hodgson, Cabinet minister.

And he did go public, revealing he was once interviewed as a witness by the Serious Fraud Office over the Equiticorp scandal. He told ONE News about that last week after hearing Labour insiders planned to make something of it. 

"I've certainly never been engaged in any business dealings that in any way shape or form are something that I'd be embarrassed by or couldn't openly discuss," says Key.

That may be true, but Labour is ready to pounce.

"If John Key makes a mistake we will set out to make sure everyone knows about it and we will continue to do that, make no mistake about that," says Hodgson.

Key says bring it on.