KEY POINTS:
Prime Minister Helen Clark is standing by the Labour Party's crisis-prone president Mike Williams, but she wants him to keep quiet and leave politics to the politicians in future.
And after being reprimanded for his latest blunder, Mr Williams seems to have got the message - he hasn't returned media calls in the past 24 hours.
Mr Williams denied on TV One's Agenda programme on Sunday that he had endorsed a suggestion from a delegate at last weekend's party congress that taxpayer-funded government booklets could be handed out during the next election campaign to promote Labour policies.
He specifically denied saying "that's a damn good idea", but last night TV One broadcast a tape recording which proved he used those words during a closed session of the congress.
The National Party says Mr Williams should resign, but Miss Clark considers the issue is closed.
"He's been reprimanded - I hope it doesn't become a weekly matter," she said at her post-cabinet press conference today.
"He's been a good president, but he should leave the politics to others and stick to his job."
Earlier today Miss Clark said Mr Williams should keep his head down for a while.
"I think it's time for a deep period of silence, and concentrating on his core business."
Miss Clark said Mr Williams told her "the truth" about a week ago, and she doesn't know why he denied it on Agenda.
"It's quite clear what was said. I dealt with the matter last week. I don't want to deal with it again," she said at her press conference.
"I can only say he was confused. I'm not."
Miss Clark was asked: "Wasn't he just lying?"
"No, I don't think so," she replied. "I think he was confused."
Mr Williams has said he didn't hear the delegates suggestion very well, and had been trying to move on to other matters when he made the remark.
Tonight TV One News reported the delegate was senior party official Martin Ward, husband of cabinet minister Ruth Dyson.
Ms Dyson would not comment.
"He is entitled to his own views and opinions. It's not for an MP to comment on what their husband or wife says," Miss Clark said.
She said Mr Williams had not offered his resignation, which he did when he was embroiled in a recent scandal about a loan given to the party by expatriate billionaire Owen Glenn.
- NZPA
