Mum laughs off money claim

A solo mother who laid a complaint against Cabinet minister Paula Bennett for revealing her benefit details has reportedly admitted to writing about a money settlement to drop the complaint, but says she was only joking.

3 News said on Thursday Natasha Fuller had met Ms Bennett and the idea of compensation was floated.

Ms Bennett has staunchly denied offering any money at any stage.

Last night 3 News revealed an exchange of notes between Ms Fuller and a friend on Facebook.

On the morning of the meeting on Wednesday, Ms Fuller wrote to her friend: "dont [sic] no about millions but few thousands:-) ... I am in drivers seat ... she needs me to drop my case and tell everyone how lovely she is ha ha."

After the meeting she wrote: "Iv [sic] got a tough choice to make have two days to come up with what I want as a payment ...".

She later told 3 News the comments were not meant to be taken seriously. She said she had never asked for compensation and that Ms Bennett apologised for what happened last year.

A spokeswoman for Ms Bennett denied an apology had been offered.

The complaint arose last year after Ms Bennett, Minister of Social Development, publicised the benefit details of Ms Fuller and Jennifer Johnston, also a solo mother.

The two had publicly criticised the Government's cut to the Tertiary Incentive Allowance for solo parents.

Ms Bennett declined to comment further yesterday beyond a statement she released, saying the initial story was "unbalanced and untrue".

A spokesman for Prime Minister John Key said: "We are disappointed by the poor journalistic standards ... by TV3 in [the original] story."

An associate of Ms Fuller told the Weekend Herald last night that Ms Fuller had nothing to say.