No dilly-dally by Key over Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama. Photo / Supplied

Prime Minister John Key has not broken his promise to meet the Dalai Lama - he just doesn't feel like fulfilling it yet.

That's the official position on the exiled Tibetan leader, from foreign minister Murray McCully.

The Herald on Sunday last week revealed a leaked US Embassy cable that said Key had assured the Chinese premier he would not meet the Dalai Lama. But Key promised voters he would meet him.

McCully insists there was no "official" instruction to senior politicians to avoid meeting the Dalai Lama. Key decided himself to dodge a meeting - and his Cabinet ministers made the same decision, all at the same time, all by themselves.

McCully insists he did not mislead Parliament when he said there was no "official policy" on the issue.