Benson-Pope defended to the hilt by party

Labour is continuing to build a fortress around their embattled cabinet minister David Benson-Pope.

Prime Minister Helen Clark remains his most visible supporter, today once again publicly backing Mr Benson-Pope, who holds the Social Development and Employment and Environment portfolios.

She had said yesterday that when the minister said he was not aware of any complaints he did so "to the best of his ability and recollection".

"I regard David Benson-Pope as an honest person... I defy anyone to relate in great detail much that happened eight years ago," she said.

Helen Clark said Mr Benson-Pope had not offered his resignation.

"The matter certainly hasn't got to that point."

Mr Benson-Pope has described the latest allegations against him as "nonsense", but he has not made any comment since the complaints were confirmed.

On TV One's Breakfast programme this morning, the PM said she had not seen the comments in the Otago Daily Times newspaper, in which former Bayfield High School principal Bruce Leadbetter asserted that he had talked to Mr Benson-Pope about the latest complaint to dog the embattled minister - the intrusion into a girls' shower area.

The PM would not be drawn on what would happen if Mr Benson-Pope changed his story and said he did recall the complaints.

"Well my clear understanding to this time is that he answered the question to the best of his recollection."

Helen Clark said Mr Benson-Pope had not breached Bayfield's policy and reports about him walking in while girls were showering had been "sensationalised".

"When you get into the fine print -- even of the Herald on Sunday's story -- the girls say, of the shower incident, he saw nothing."

She was expected to talk to Mr Benson-Pope today.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen today said he still believed Mr Benson-Pope had not misled Parliament.

"I stand by what David has said to the House as an accurate reflection of his memory at the time."

He said some confusion remained around the complaint, with the then chairman of the school's board having previously said no formal complaint was received.

Trade Minister Phil Goff said Mr Benson-Pope was an honourable man, who he believed was telling the truth.

- NZPA