PM can refuse holiday security: Labour

Prime Minister John Key has said he has no control over how the system operates. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Prime Minister John Key is being challenged on his claim that he has no control over the level of security protection around him - even when he travels overseas on private holidays.

Labour MP Pete Hodgson has criticised Mr Key for what he claims is excessive use of the Diplomatic Protection Service, whose members frequently escort Mr Key and have accompanied him on a summer holiday to Hawaii.

In the 2009/10 financial year, the police exceeded their $3.98 million DPS budget by more than $800,000, although total police spending that year was within budget.

Mr Key has brushed off the criticism as "pathetic" and says he has no control over how the service operates.

But Mr Hodgson yesterday released letters from Helen Clark's office when she was Prime Minister telling the service four times that she did not require security for private holidays, including three overseas trips taken during summer breaks.

"The Prime Minister has directed that she will not require cover by the Diplomatic Protection Officers [during this period]," one letter said.

The letters showed that Mr Key could decline protection, Mr Hodgson said.

"Mr Key's claim that he has no control over services provided to him is wrong."

He said Mr Key seemed to "enjoy an entourage".

Police documents show that service members who went with Mr Key on his holiday to Hawaii at the end of 2009 cost up to $30,000.

A police spokesman suggested that if the Prime Minister declined protection it would be considered.

"Decisions are made on a case by case basis taking into consideration all relevant information at the time. We do not discuss how those decisions are made," the spokesman said.

Mr Key yesterday said the accusation that he enjoyed the entourage was pathetic and scraping the bottom of the barrel.

"I don't have the authority to say 'come with me' or 'don't come with me' on whatever I do," Mr Key said.

"I think that most New Zealanders would appreciate that having 24-hour support from DPS is quite claustrophobic.

"I'd love my life to return on one level to the point where I can walk down the street and not have to worry about that."