Key to bid $5000 on Winston's sign

Prime Minister John Key said he would bid $5000 on a controversial NO sign the New Zealand First leader once used as a prop. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Prime Minister John Key won't work with Winston Peters but he's saying yes to bidding on a controversial NO sign the New Zealand First leader once used as a prop.

Mr Key this morning said he would bid $5000 for the sign at an auction in Wellington on Thursday night, to raise funds for Christchurch quake victims.

Mr Peters spent most of 2008 - while in coalition with the Labour Government - defending revelations that his party had channelled large donations through secret trusts to avoid disclosure.

This culminated in controversy over a $100,000 donation from expatriate businessman Owen Glenn to help with Mr Peters' legal fees.

At the time Mr Peters was foreign minister, and had pushed for Mr Glenn to be appointed honorary consul in Monaco.

At a press conference in February 2008 Mr Peters held up a big NO sign, when denying the party got the money.

A parliamentary inquiry found on the balance of evidence Mr Peters had known about the donation and he was censured for not disclosing it. Various authorities investigated but no charges were laid.

Mr Key was asked this morning if he would make a bid.

"I'm in for five grand," he told reporters.

"Owen Glenn might be in for more though, I've got his email...it's the closest I will get to Winston, anyway."

Asked if he would keep the sign Mr Key said he might re-auction it.

Labour leader Phil Goff was not interested.

"I don't think so. It's not going to be part of my memorabilia."

When told about Mr Key's offer Mr Goff said: "He's got a big cheque book and he's putting it to good purpose. He seems fascinated by Mr Peters, you couldn't rule out that Mr Key wouldn't go with Mr Peters, despite what he's said publicly."

Thursday's auction is part of a Press Gallery fund-raiser for the Canterbury Television and The Press newspaper's families and victims of the February earthquake. It will follow a debate on "politics is a grubby business" which will fundraise for Red Cross. The events will be held at the Backbencher Pub.

- NZPA