PM still backs Benson-Pope 

Prime Minister Helen Clark says her Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope is safe in his job, despite the release of more details about a complaint made against him during his time as a teacher.

New allegations by four former pupils relating to events at a school camp in the South Island in 1997 include a charge that Benson-Pope entered girls' dormitories and a shower block without warning.

Benson-Pope has dismissed the claims, aired by Investigate Magazine and The Herald on Sunday as "a nonsense".

However, Clark on Monday released a letter of complaint over the incident which the school had on file.

The document confirms a parent claimed that Benson-Pope entered an ablution block while female pupils were showering and told them to get out, and that he walked into the girls' dormitory while they were dressing and talked to them.

A further document shows the school responded by modifying its policies.

The school's response also says that there was no question of anyone entering the showers, although students were given up hurry-up message from the door.

Asked whether Benson-Pope had misled the public by describing the allegations as nonsense, Clark said it was question of what he was reacting to, and that he was acting in line with school policies at the time.

Clark says that is where the matter ends and if anyone has concerns that warrant investigation, they should take the matter to the police.

ACT is calling for police to re-open a previous investigation into Benson-Pope.

That investigation, which was made into bullying claims, found there was a prima facie case against Mr Benson-Pope.

Police decided against taking the issue further.