National eases off on Benson-Pope

Judith Collins said it was clear David Benson-Pope was not going to resign.

Parliament resumed after a week's recess this afternoon but for the first time since the "shower girls" allegations surfaced, David Benson-Pope was able to rest easy.

National has decided there is no political mileage in continuing to hammer the minister about his teaching record.

The Social Development Minister has faced a prolonged and damaging attack over mishandling of allegations that he acted inappropriately while he was a teacher.

It was claimed that as a teacher at Bayfield High School in Dunedin, Mr Benson-Pope entered the female dormitories and showers without warning, while 14-year-old girls were undressed. He has denied the claims.

National's Judith Collins, who has led the attacks, said today: "We have worked up about 150 questions, primary and supplementary questions, on the man. And, frankly, I think we have got the message - that he's not going to go, because Helen Clark has now said it is OK for her ministers to act like that."

She said her questioning of Mr Benson-Pope was her job as an opposition MP.

Act leader Rodney Hide was also central to the attacks, calling Mr Benson-Pope a "pervert".

Acting Prime Minister Michael Cullen has claimed Labour has a dirt file of its own on National MPs.

Mr Benson-Pope told the Herald earlier this month: "There is no issue. And that's been the most offensive part of what National has done -- deliberately pretending something happened that they know is not true."


- NEWSTALK ZB, HERALD STAFF