Cut and thrust: MPs find Rankin case irresistible fodder for question time

By VERNON SMALL

The Christine Rankin case is, as they say, a story with legs. Although Parliament's rules ban comment on live court cases, MPs can never resist running with something so gossipacious.

Prime Minister Helen Clark ran the usual media gauntlet on her way to Labour's caucus meeting, swatting away questions on the only show in town. "There are two sides to every story," and the public should await the Crown's evidence.

In case anyone missed the point, Social Services Minister Steve Maharey stopped to say: "There are two sides to every story."

By question time there was no holding back from a story that has almost everything: sex, alleged lies, but so far no videotapes.

What steps had Mr Maharey taken "to implement the Prime Minister's commitment that her Government 'will set new standards, both in terms of behaviour and performance' ?" National leader Jenny Shipley asked transparently.

"Many," he said.

"One thing I would not do, however, is have a dinner conversation with [Saatchi & Saatchi head] Kevin Roberts and then deny it," Mr Maharey added, dredging up one of Mrs Shipley's worst political nightmares.

"Would blatant sexism, victimisation and intimidation of people for whom he was responsible for meet these standards, and if not, why not?" Mrs Shipley lobbed back.

Mr Maharey said he would not comment on a current court case.

Then he tried, "There are two sides to every story," but by then it was hardly original.

He did concede that in his own personal conduct he had observed high standards and never engaged in blatant sexism.

Mrs Shipley wanted to know if Mr Maharey expected to get the boot if he fell short of the PM's standards.

"Following the member's example I'd be here for some time," he shot back.

It was clearly too much for the previously invisible Phil Heatley, who thrust himself out of the shadows of National's back bench to shout that Mr Maharey - whom he dubbed "the minister of dress sense" - had met the standard by being "celibate as well" - a reference to State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham's alleged comment to Mrs Rankin.

The grey-haired Mr Maharey, though smart, is hardly a bungy-jumper in the world of high fashion.

Perhaps sensing his gear could be an issue, he had risked a grey suit, a bluey-grey shirt and in a limited (but no doubt totally appropriate) show of individualism, a shiny red tie.

Definitely no earrings. Just a slim wedding band on his left hand.