Greens welcome Brethren inquiry

The Greens say the Exclusive Brethren pamphlet drop probably cost the party a seat.

Co-leader Rod Donald is welcoming a police investigation into the leaflets, but he says it is too late.

The pamphlets, condemning Labour and The Greens, were distributed during the run-up to the election, and although National initially denied any knowledge of them, eventually the party admitted knowing about the group's plan.

Police are determining whether a prosecution will be laid after the Chief Electoral Officer found the pamphlets encouraged people to vote for National.

Mr Donald wishes the inquiry has been conducted before election night, as the pamphlets undoubtedly damaged the Greens' chances.

If it had, Mr Donald says New Zealand may have ended up with a very different-looking Government. He says if the Greens had one more seat, New Zealand First would not have enjoyed the bargaining power it ended up with.

He says even if the Brethren are prosecuted they will only face a $3,000 fine, which Mr Donald considers to be rough justice.

He says the campaign was scurrilous and totally un-Christian.

- NEWSTALK ZB