Key still backs Banks, despite letter

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Key still backs Banks, despite letter

3News NZ

John Banks and John Key

John Banks and John Key

By 3 News online staff / RadioLIVE / NZN

ACT leader John Banks is again under scrutiny over the Dotcom donation saga.

Police didn't press charges against the Epsom MP after donations to his failed mayoralty campaign from Kim Dotcom were made public.

But, his statements to police -which was crucial evidence - was never released because according to Mr Banks, police wouldn't let him.

Now, a letter from Mr Banks' lawyer shows in fact, he deliberately tried to stop it going public.

Here's Labour MP Grant Robertson:

"Mr Bank is the person who said he has 'nothing to fear, nothing to hide'," says Mr Robertson. "If that's the case he should let his witness statement be released. What we've discovered here is he's gone to great lengths to ensure New Zealanders don't get to see what he told police."

The lawyer's letter says Mr Banks was concerned about what journalists and Opposition MPs might do with the information.

"Mr Banks has previously said it was the police's decision his witness papers were withheld," says Mr Robertson. "What we now see from these papers is he's misled New Zealanders one more time."

Mr Banks' office has declined to comment on the matter.

Prime Minister John Key said he didn't know anything about the letter and still had confidence in Mr Banks.

The MP received a $50,000 donation from internet tycoon Dotcom for his 2010 Auckland mayoralty campaign, which was described in his election return as coming from an anonymous source.

Police investigated and concluded that although Mr Banks asked for the donation there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him for breaching electoral law.

Labour has been trying to get hold of Mr Banks' statement to the police but has so far failed.

3 News / RadioLIVE / NZN

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Comments

18/11/2012 2:00:34 p.m.

Just Me wrote:

With his association and support of Banks is making John Key the laughing stock of any government.No-one can take him seriously as he has shown time and again.And now that he is delusional enough to say NZ is better off thanks to him shows how out-of-touch-of-reality he has become.Seems the guy has become unhinged thanks to his crazy belief that he is so important and influences the world.The thing is he is influenced easier by big businesses to do what they want him to do and not the other way round.

24/10/2012 2:40:42 p.m.

Mal wrote:

Birds of a feather. As they say.

19/10/2012 12:09:01 p.m.

Jonathan wrote:

Much more scandalous is the huge donations the unions make of their members money to the labour party. This should be outlawed. Also all the politicians who accuse John Banks should resign if they were a member of Labour party or NZ first when they illegally misappropriated public money for their election campaigns a few years back. After all Banks was found not guilty... they were found guilty.

17/10/2012 2:07:08 p.m.

Craig Young wrote:

I still suspect that Banks will serve only a single term of office as ACT MP before he gets rolled at the next Epsom candidate selection meeting and replaced by someone uncompromised, like Catherine Isaacs.

17/10/2012 10:50:01 a.m.

Kathy wrote:

Of course John Key supports his leader (John Banks), how much legislation do you think Key could pass without John Banks vote?.

17/10/2012 10:35:27 a.m.

dennis wrote:

Seeing as you and your lot rendered Dotcom out of business, give him the $50000 back, John. You can afford it. Sign the cheque 'Anonymous National Lackey'

17/10/2012 10:15:35 a.m.

Richard wrote:

Banks is dodgy and Keys should drop him. This is seriously affecting Key's credibility. Have to be seen to be done.

17/10/2012 10:06:08 a.m.

pondering wrote:

This whole internet / digital technology business is getting very complicated and sticky for the national government coalition isn't it. What is going to leak out from where next? Governmental incontinence from all orifices.

17/10/2012 9:29:16 a.m.

Joe wrote:

[1] "Banks said he has 'nothing to fear, nothing to hide'" Of course, that is a lie: Banks has everything to fear, including spending time in a prison with Mongrel Mob & other bad gang members there. He would fit in very well. [2] "Prime Minister John Key said he didn't know anything about the letter" Well, just ask Banks and the police! A no brainer! [3]"Prime Minister John Key said he still had confidence in Mr Banks" Ah, do the public, including many National supporters still have confidence in Key (& Banks)is the more important question! 2014 elections will answer that question! [4] We seem to be ruled by a set of well oiled sweet talking scoundrels, laughable liars and cunning crooks.

17/10/2012 7:11:12 a.m.

Pat wrote:

One shonkey protecting the other shonkey.