Benson-Pope sings new song on assault claims

David Benson-Pope faces the music in Parliament yesterday. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Cabinet minister David Benson-Pope has changed tactics and is no longer categorically denying he assaulted students while working as a teacher 23 years ago.
Under intense questioning from Opposition MPs in Parliament yesterday, a solemn Mr Benson-Pope failed on four occasions to reiterate statements he made in the House in May when he rejected the "ridiculous" assault allegations.

Instead, he repeatedly said: "I am one of the 19 people who either do not recall the alleged events or do not believe they happened."

The significant shift in language comes a day after the release of the police file that showed substantial evidence - including the testimony of nine students - to corroborate the allegations that he jammed a tennis ball in the mouth of a student and taped his hands to a desk.

The police file also dealt with another allegation that Mr Benson-Pope struck a student in the face, making his nose bleed.

Act leader Rodney Hide said Mr Benson-Pope had been careful not to repeat his original categorical denial because it would put him at risk of breaching parliamentary privilege - which could force his resignation from Parliament.

Police have decided not to prosecute Mr Benson-Pope, despite saying there is a prima facie case against the former teacher.

The fallout from the police file continued yesterday, when Prime Minister Helen Clark criticised Mr Benson-Pope's decision to leak some extracts of the file to the Herald on Sunday, saying it could have been "handled better" and that "advice will be forthcoming to the minister".

Senior Cabinet minister Phil Goff, speaking on behalf of Police Minister Annette King, said Mr Benson-Pope had admitted he was wrong to describe the police language as "bozo-ish" and had apologised to the police on Mr Benson-Pope's behalf.

Mr Benson-Pope's press secretary, Pete Coleman, is being disciplined for telling journalists on Sunday that the minister's office had not been the source of the leak to the Herald on Sunday.


A variable response

May 12, 2005
Judith Collins: Did he ever tie boys' hands together and jam a tennis ball into their mouths as punishment for talking when he was a teacher at Bayfield High School?
David Benson-Pope: I find such allegations ridiculous, and I refute them.

December 6, 2005
Rodney Hide: Does the minister stand by the statements he made in this House on 12 May in respect of the two claims of assault?
Benson-Pope: I am pleased to confirm that I am one of the 19 people who either do not recall the alleged events or do not believe they happened.