PM's dash called error in judgment

There was never any approval for Prime Minister Helen Clark's motorcade to speed her to the airport, says a police officer who confesses to making an error of judgment on the day.

Sergeant Michael van der Heyden was giving evidence yesterday at the Timaru District Court trial at which five policemen and a civilian are facing driving charges.

Mr van der Heyden, who was second police officer in charge of security for Helen Clark in Waimate, told the court he made an error of judgment by letting the motorcade proceed to Christchurch with the intention of making a 4.50pm flight.

Inspector David Gaskin, in charge of security, had made the same admission in court the day before. Neither man is among those charged.

Mr van der Heyden said he initially thought the motorcade could reach Christchurch Airport in time by "marginally" exceeding the speed limit.

He said he recalled speaking to Mr Gaskin, once the motorcade had left Waimate, about whether the inspector had authority to allow the motorcade to speed.

"He replied he did not have any," Mr van der Heyden said.

One of the police drivers on trial says he did speed but had no control over the pace set.

A statement by Constable Ian Howard read to the court said he was never briefed on his responsibilities as driver of the rear car of the three-vehicle motorcade.

It is alleged the motorcade travelled at up to 172km/h in order to get Ms Helen Clark to Christchurch Airport for a flight to Wellington.

Howard's statement to the police, read to the court by Inspector David Cliff, said he was carrying out his duty as driver of the security car at the rear of the motorcade.

"I had no control over the speed. I was doing my job by providing security for the car ahead."

At one point he was travelling at up to 140km/h, Howard said.

"We were travelling at speeds over the limit," his statement said, "but I do not know exactly what the speed was as I did not take my eyes off the road."