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New Zealand First MP Dail Jones has complained to Speaker Margaret Wilson that National MP Nick Smith misled Parliament in statements about donations to his legal fees.
In debate in July over Mr Peters' failure to declare a $100,000 donation to his legal fees from billionaire Owen Glenn, Prime Minister Helen Clark noted Dr Smith had only declared an interest in a legal trust fund, but not the debt or who had paid it.
Dr Smith said that declaration was based on the advice of the Registrar of MPs' Pecuniary Interests Dame Margaret Bazley.
But in a letter released yesterday by Parliament's privileges committee, which is looking into whether Mr Peters broke Parliament's rules by failing to declare the Glenn donation, Dame Margaret said she had no record of ever giving Dr Smith advice.
"My records do not contain any record that advice was given to Dr Smith on the subject of how he should declare a pecuniary interest in a trust established to provide financial support for legal action.
"I have no personal recollection of having given advice on that subject to the member. The previous registrar has confirmed to me that he also has no such recollection."
Dr Smith yesterday said he stood by his statement.
He told Radio New Zealand he believed he had contacted the registrar in February 2007 for advice on matrimonial property and the trust and had altered his return accordingly.
Mr Jones had laid a complaint over the matter and he had been asked by the Speaker to respond.
If the Speaker thinks there is a case to answer she can refer the matter to the privileges committee.
Dr Smith said the complaint was an attempt to divert attention away from Mr Peters' and NZ First's troubles over undeclared donations.
- NZPA
