Benson-Pope papers rebut school assault claims

David Benson-Pope

Cabinet minister David Benson-Pope has started to fight back against allegations that he assaulted students when he was a teacher at Dunedin's Bayfield High School.

Mr Benson-Pope yesterday released copies of documents he has given to the police investigating the assault claims, and a 70-page dossier of supporting letters, emails and affidavits he has received.

Speaker Margaret Wilson decided against referring claims that he misled Parliament to the privileges committee, and Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday gave back some of his portfolio responsibilities.

Mr Benson-Pope stood aside from his portfolios last month after it was alleged in Parliament that he jammed a tennis ball into a student's mouth and taped his hands to a desk.

It was also claimed he struck a student in the face, making his nose bleed, and caned some students hard.

Mr Benson-Pope told Parliament he had never behaved inappropriately while a teacher.

Helen Clark decided the police should investigate the claims.

The documents Mr Benson-Pope has given to the police include samples of correspondence from staff, parents and board members of Bayfield High.

There are letters from former students alleging that Phil Weaver and Aaron Tasker, who have backed claims against Mr Benson-Pope, were themselves bullies.

One letter, from Brent Murray, tells of bullying that put him through "five years of what seemed like hell on Earth".

The allegations of bullying by Mr Weaver, Mr Tasker and others have been published in the Sunday News newspaper.

Mr Weaver and Mr Tasker have denied the claims.

Mr Benson-Pope said in releasing the documents: "Up until now a quite distorted picture has been painted of my time as a teacher."

He has regained the fisheries and associate environment portfolios, but not his associate education role.

- NZPA