Cabinet minister has no case to answer: Police

Nick Smith. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Nelson MP Nick Smith has no assault case to answer, Nelson police said today.

Nelson man Ross Cooper laid the complaint at the weekend, saying he was left with a sore shoulder after Dr Smith twice slammed his car door on him and abused him.

However, Dr Smith said Mr Cooper was the one shoving and he had considered laying his own assault complaint, but had decided not to bother.

Mr Cooper, who is on a partial invalid's benefit, approached Dr Smith as he was getting into his car in Nelson on Saturday to discuss his "disgusting" power bill, the Nelson Mail reported today.

"I was leaning over on the car doorway, showing my bill," he said.

"He wanted to push me aside to get going."

He said he went to the Nelson police station immediately and laid a complaint against Dr Smith, because "the way he treated me I'm not going to put up with".

Mr Cooper also emailed Prime Minister John Key.

Nelson police investigated Mr Cooper's complaint and said this afternoon there was no justification for any charge to be laid.

Nelson Bays police acting area commander Detective Inspector John Winter said Dr Smith provided police with a statement today in which he denied any assault had taken place.

A number of witnesses were spoken to and confirmed Mr Cooper was agitated and acting in a loud and aggressive manner towards Dr Smith over his power bill.

Mr Winter said the witnesses also said Mr Cooper was trying to prevent Dr Smith from closing the door of his vehicle and driving away.

He said Mr Cooper was known to Dr Smith, whom he had previously tried to assist but who had repeatedly abused and intimidated his electoral office staff over a period of a decade.

In his statement to police Dr Smith said the weekend's incident had him fearing for his safety.

Mr Winter said police were attempting to resolve the matter by arranging a meeting between Mr Cooper and Dr Smith at the earliest opportunity,

- NZPA