Benson-Pope offers apology 

Cabinet minister David Benson-Pope has offered an apology in parliament to former students who have publicly expressed concerns about his behaviour as a teacher in Dunedin.

Opposition MPs have been pursuing Benson-Pope, claiming he misled the House over his denials of any knowledge of complaints laid against him in his 24 years as a teacher.

He was denied leave to make a personal statement to the House.

Benson-Pope told parliament on Tuesday he remains convinced his behaviour as a teacher was not inappropriate.

However, he said that he does accept that the concerns of some former students are genuinely held, and offered an apology "for any upset".

On Monday Prime Minister Helen Clark released a letter dating back to 1997, in which a parent complains that Benson-Pope entered the girls' showers at a school camp and walked into the girls' dorm while they were dressing.  Another document shows the school's response was to modify its policies.  It also says there was no question of anyone entering the showers themselves - though students were "given a hurry-up from the door".

The Otago Daily Times quotes the former principal of Dunedin's Bayfield High School, Bruce Leadbetter, as saying he discussed the complaint with Benson-Pope.

Despite the letter Clark is backing her minister, saying she regards Benson-Pope as an honest person and she defies anyone to remember in great detail things that happened eight years ago.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen says he also believes the cabinet minister has not misled parliament.

Cullen is disputing whether the complaint could be seen as formal since it was apparently not received by the board - nor was a response sent to parents.

But the Act Party is calling for police to reopen a previous investigation into Benson-Pope. That investigation, which was made into bullying claims while the minister was a teacher at the school, found there was a prima facie case against Benson-Pope. The police decided against taking the issue further.

Act leader Rodney Hide says the matter should be considered by parliament's privileges committee. The Speaker has previously rejected his attempts to have Benson-Pope referred to the committee.