Minister's judgment questioned after visit to taxi driver

Internal Affairs Minister Richard Worth. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The judgement of Internal Affairs Minister Richard Worth has been questioned again after it was revealed he visited a taxi driver who was allegedly attacked by passengers at the weekend.

Dr Worth has since admitted he knew the father of one of the men accused of attacking Jarnil Sandhu in what appeared to have been a racially motivated incident in Auckland on Saturday night.

Mr Sandhu was allegedly punched and had his turban pulled off when he stopped to drop a group of passengers off.

Labour Party immigration spokesman Pete Hodgson said today the visit was questionable considering it appeared to have been carried out by Dr Worth in his ministerial capacity, and that he admitted knowing the father of one of those blamed for the attack.

"Dr Worth clearly has no ministerial or electorate responsibilities related to this matter, so what was he doing there?" Mr Hodgson said.

Dr Worth was reprimanded by Prime Minister John Key this month over a private trip to India during which he spoke in his ministerial capacity and promoted a company in which he had an interest.

Mr Hodgson called for Mr Key to sack his minister over the issue.

A spokeswoman from Dr Worth's office today told NZPA the minister had long-standing ties with the Indian community in New Zealand and the visit to Mr Sandhu was nothing out of the ordinary.

He had visited with an acquaintance of the Sandhu family to offer support in a personal capacity.

She said Dr Worth had met the man identified as the father of one of the alleged attackers only twice in the last five years in a social capacity and had not spoken to him since the incident on Saturday.

Dr Worth has denied claims that he introduced himself as the Minister of Internal Affairs when meeting Mr Sandhu.

Police are investigating the alleged assault but no charges have been laid.

- NZPA