Former MP expresses remorse to supporters

Disgraced former MP Taito Phillip Field broke his silence last night, telling supporters his conscience was clear but he was regretful and remorseful about the situation he was in.

Field told a gathering in Mangere, his former electorate, he would accept whatever happened at his sentencing on Tuesday.

It was the first time he had spoken publicly since he was found guilty in August after a nearly four-month trial in the High Court at Auckland of 11 counts of bribery and corruption as an MP and 15 counts of wilfully perverting the course of justice.

"I'm regretful and remorseful of the circumstances that led to this," he said.

"I have genuine regret in allowing perhaps a lack of attention to detail that could have avoided this situation."

He continued to maintain he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

He was found to have acted corruptly when he allowed Thai immigrants to do work for him in exchange for help he gave them for immigration matters.

He was also found guilty of trying to derail the official investigation.

"I gave that help freely and unconditionally without accepting anything.

"It's beyond me still how we have this situation.

"My conscience is clear in terms of the help given".

Field said he wanted to reassure the people of Mangere, Otara and New Zealand that the assistance he gave the immigrants was unconditional.

"How we arrive at talks of bribery and corruption is a matter for people and individuals to make up their own minds."

He said the matter wouldn't end with the sentencing, but no decisions about an appeal would be made until after that.

Field said there needed to be exposure of a number of things, including flaws in the justice system and law enforcement, but that would come in time.

"It's not about the outcome but about how you deal with it. It's not the end of life," he said.

He told the 60 people at the meeting he felt he needed to speak directly to them.

Field said he was very disappointed with the verdicts, but would face his sentencing and accept whatever happened.