By VERNON SMALL deputy political editor
Prime Minister Helen Clark was saying little yesterday in the face of mounting claims that she asked for an approach to be made to a former police officer to "get dirt" on sacked Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels.
"I would describe that as absolute rubbish," she told the Herald, but declined to elaborate, saying she would make a full response at today's post-cabinet press conference.
"Everything I have to say I will say on the record, outside the House and outside privilege. I can assure you that it won't be the Labour Party that is looking stupid."
Mr Samuels' lawyer, Peter Williams, QC, said he had a taped telephone call from a Labour MP, thought to be junior whip Chris Carter, seeking details about Mr Samuels' past.
It is understood the taped answerphone call was made in response to one offering information on Mr Samuels.
In Parliament on Saturday, during debate on the Employment Relations Bill, National leader Jenny Shipley claimed Helen Clark rang Labour Party president Bob Harvey "and asked him to get dirt on Dover Samuels so she could get rid of him.
"We've got evidence from an ex-police officer that Bob Harvey asked him on behalf of the Prime Minister to go and get material on Dover."
Mr Harvey is also the Mayor of Waitakere City. The Herald understands the former police officer is Ross Dallow, a Waitakere City councillor in the conservative Go Waitakere grouping. He could not be contacted for comment.
The new claims come as Labour struggles to convince the public that Mr Samuels' sacking was fair.
He was dropped from the cabinet in June after information and claims surfaced in response to allegations that he had under-age sex with a teenager 14 years ago.
Since his sacking, Mr Samuels has disclosed he has five convictions, including for theft and assault, and two short prison sentences. Not all were disclosed to the Labour Party before he was selected.
It is thought that, in response to the latest allegations, Helen Clark will concede that the party made its own inquiries when the claims began to surface against Mr Samuels.
But she will deny National's view that the investigations were aimed at gathering information to use against a minister that she did not want in her cabinet.
Police have cleared Mr Samuels of having sex with a girl under 16 years, and no further action will be taken over four allegations of rape unless fresh information comes to hand.
Police are still investigating allegations that Mr Samuels had sex with the teenager while she was in his care and protection. A decision on whether to press charges on that matter is expected this week.
Mr Samuels has said he will ask police to reopen an investigation into allegations that the teenager's family tried to blackmail him.
PM holds off on Samuels 'dirt' claims
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