More PM motorcade charges laid

Helen Clark

Police have laid fresh charges against five police officers and a civilian driver involved in Prime Minister Helen Clark's high-speed trip from Waimate to Christchurch in July.

Five police officers and a civilian VIP driver were last month charged with dangerous driving after the prime minister's motorcade reportedly reached speeds of up to 140km/h during a 205.6km trip from Waimate to Christchurch airport, which took 96 minutes.

The 195km trip reportedly took 80 minutes, getting the Prime Minister to Christchurch airport in time to catch a flight to Wellington, where she was due to attend a Bledisloe Cup rugby match.

Police Assistant Commissioner for crime reduction and public safety, Peter Marshall, said today fresh charges had been laid in Timaru District Court in relation to the motorcade after crown solicitors had assessed all the evidence.

The new charges related to dangerous driving and following too closely.

"It was considered the new charges more accurately reflect the nature of the alleged offences," he said in a statement.

Some of the new charges had been laid as alternative charges, meaning some of the original charges would be withdrawn.

The six previously faced charges including dangerous driving, being a party to dangerous driving, following too closely, and careless use.

Those charges remain, although two of the six who were not previously charged with dangerous driving now face that charge.

The pair also face additional new charges of causing dangerous driving.

One of the five police officers charged may appear in Timaru District Court today.

Four of the police officers were yesterday given a registrar's remand to appear on January 25. They did not enter pleas.

The fifth officer is expected to be called today, although it is not clear whether he will appear in person or be represented by counsel.

It is not known whether the civilian driver will be in court.

Helen Clark came under fire from opposition MPs last month when the original charges were announced.

ACT leader Rodney Hide asked whether Miss Clark was aware of a publicly-funded road safety campaign that encouraged passengers to ask speeding drivers to slow down.

The campaign included slogans such as "speak up to slow him down", "speak up and live, shut up and die" and "stop him speeding, put your foot down", he said.

National MP Tony Ryall asked the Prime Minister if she had ever congratulated her drivers or police escorts for meeting her tight deadlines.

- NZPA