Allegation against Attorney-General must be investigated, says Hide

Act leader Rodney Hide today called for Attorney-General David Parker to be stood down while a claim that he broke the law by filing a false statement to the Companies Office is investigated.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said she was not going to initiate an inquiry into the allegation published today in an article in Investigate magazine.

A spokesman for Mr Parker said the minister had no comment to make "at this stage".

The magazine's cover story involves an allegation by a former business associate of Mr Parker, Dunedin property developer Russell Hyslop.

In the late 1990s, Mr Hyslop was a partner in a company called Queens Park Mews Ltd. The other partners were Mr Parker and his father, Francis Parker. They each held one third of the shares.

According to Mr Hyslop, Mr Parker filed a declaration to the Companies Office stating that the shareholders of Queens Park Mews Ltd decided unanimously not to appoint an auditor.
Mr Hyslop said he was never asked to approve the "unanimous" decision, and the declaration was therefore false.

Asked about the allegation on NewstalkZB this morning, Helen Clark said: "I'm not going to start a public inquiry every time Investigate magazine decides to smear somebody, which is every month on average".

Mr Hide said the allegation was serious and needed investigation.

"It's only proper that David Parker stand down while the investigation is conducted," he said.

"The Attorney-General's job is the Government's administration of the law. The person in the job must be beyond reproach."

Mr Parker is also Minister of Energy and Minister of Transport.

Investigate magazine said filing a false claim was an offence punishable by a five-year jail sentence and/or a $200,000 fine.

- NZPA