No letup for Benson-Pope

Embattled Cabinet minister David Benson-Pope suffered further embarrassment last night when he was forced to admit he gave an incorrect answer in Parliament.

Asked by National Party welfare spokesman Judith Collins yesterday afternoon if he had briefed or later spoken to Prime Minister Helen Clark or other caucus colleagues about his handling of a police report into assault claims while he was a teacher in the 1980s, Mr Benson-Pope said he had no such conversation with Helen Clark.

Later Mrs Collins said she was "sceptical" about his answer.

"Is the minister trying to tell us that the boss has never been in touch and the issue has never been discussed either before or after the release of this damning report? Give us a break."

Yesterday evening Mr Benson-Pope told Parliament he misunderstood the question.

"I can confirm that I had not spoken to or briefed the Prime Minister in advance of the release of the police files but I have spoken to the Prime Minister since their release."

- NZPA