The woman at the centre of historical sexual harrassment allegations involving National's Tauranga candidate Bob Clarkson says she feels she's become a pawn between two political candidates for the Tauranga seat.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who is fighting to save his seat and the future of his party, brought attention to a 2002 story published in the Bay of Plenty Times which included allegations about Clarkson's sexual behaviour directed at one of his former contractors.
Vivienne
d'Or flew back from a holiday in Australia to speak at a press
conference where she labelled Clarkson a "bully" and a
"weasel."
D'Or claims Clarkson made an inappropriate sexual advance towards
her while her company was contracted to sell advertising and
corporate boxes at Clarkson's BayPark stadium in Tauranga.
"One of the things he asked me to do was to go back to his house for a meeting by myself, because his wife was away looking after her dying sister. I told him to piss off in no uncertain circumstances and he said it was a joke," d'Or says. She is certain that the proposition was no joke.
D'Or alleges Clarkson would often refer to his left testicle and would talk openly about his sex life. "He said it time and time and time again. I probably asked him 50 to 100 times to stop talking about his left testicle."
In early 2002 d'Or claims Clarkson terminated the business contract. However, there was a dispute over $65,000 she says Clarkson owed her. D'Or claims she got the money after signing a confidentiality agreement and agreeing to drop the allegation.
National Party President Judy Kirk said she is confident there is no truth to d'Or's allegations, which have surfaced at a time of robust competition for the Tauranga seat. She said the party has looked into the issue thoroughly.
Peters said he believes the people of Tauranga have a right to know about the allegations.
Clarkson has denied any wrongdoing and is taking legal action.
