Banks' son egged on boy who died - report

John Banks, inset, says he has fronted up to the parents of James Webster, the 16-year-old who died from alcohol poisoning in May. Photos / Supplied, The Aucklander

A 16-year-old who died of alcohol poisoning earlier this year was reportedly egged on to drink by the son of Auckland Mayor John Banks.

Witnesses who saw Kings College student James Webster on the night he died say he was urged to keep drinking by fellow student Alex Banks, One News reported.

Mr Webster died in May from alcohol poisoning.

John Banks has fronted up to the youth's parents, and said it was important he stand and "be counted" over the death.

"This has got nothing to do with my public job. This has got all to do with being a father," Mr Banks told One News.

Mr Banks said following James Webster's death he grounded his son and sent him on a first aid course.

"He now knows and can clearly recognise that when someone's in trouble with alcohol, he calls 111. If that had happened on that particular night, James Webster would still be with us today."

Although around 25 adults were at the party where James died, few have faced up to the Webster family, his parents told One News.

James' father, Charles Webster, said the boy who allegedly provided James with alcohol should admit he had done something wrong.

"If they felt they've done something wrong, saying they've done something wrong and standing up like a man would be a brave and courageous thing to do," he said.

- NZ Herald staff