John Key's double standard

The Prime Minister's position on John Banks is weak considering his past record on Ministerial resignations, the Green Party said today.

During the 2008 Privileges Committee inquiry in to Winston Peters' electoral donations, John Key called on Prime Minister Helen Clark to stand the Minister down, stating: "That is what I would do if I were Prime Minister".

"Now that John Key is facing a similar donations scandal with one of his own Ministers, but refusing to act on it, he is showing how inconsistent and weak he is," said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

"Based on John Key's standards at the time of the Winston Peters inquiry, John Banks should be stood down.

"John Key needs to keep ACT on side to keep hold of his small majority in the House.

"By not taking action, as he said he would, John Key is failing his own standards and selling New Zealanders short.

"Any allegations of electoral fraud, particularly those involving a Minister, need to be taken very seriously," said Mrs Turei.

2008 National Party press release: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=28423