New Zealand First leader Winston Peters claimed today that vehicles used in Prime Minister Helen Clark's high-speed motorcade from Waimate to Christchurch in July were damaged as a result of their high speeds.
Five police officers and a civilian VIP driver were last month charged with dangerous driving after the
prime minister's motorcade reportedly reached speeds of up to 140km/h during a 205.6km trip from Waimate to Christchurch airport, which took 96 minutes.
The Prime Minister was travelling to Christchurch airport to catch a flight to Wellington, where she was due to attend a Bledisloe Cup rugby match.
Police today pressed additional driving charges against two of those already charged.
Mr Peters said Helen Clark's claim that she had not noticed the high speeds at which the motorcade travelled were not credible.
"Is it not a fact that ... the speed involved created significant damage to the vehicle she was in and even to the windscreen, but in all that time she did not notice the speed she was going at all?"
But Helen Clark said she had no advice of any damage to the vehicle she was travelling in.
She refused to comment on other aspects of the case, saying it was before the court.
Earlier today Police Assistant Commissioner for crime reduction and public safety, Peter Marshall, said fresh charges had been laid in relation to the motorcade.
The six previously faced charges including dangerous driving, being a party to dangerous driving, following too closely, and careless use.
Those charges remain, although two of the six who were not previously charged with dangerous driving now face that charge.
The pair also face additional new charges of causing dangerous driving.
"It was considered the new charges more accurately reflect the nature of the alleged offences," he said in a statement.
Some of the new charges had been laid as alternative charges, meaning some of the original charges would be withdrawn, he said.
Four of the police officers were yesterday given a registrar's remand to appear on January 25. They did not enter pleas.
- NZPA
