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Finance Minister Michael Cullen has declined an invitation to apologise to property developer David Henderson for once calling him a tax evader.
ACT Leader and friend of Mr Henderson Rodney Hide sought the apology in Parliament.
"Does he stand by his statement that Mr David Henderson, or 'Hendo', is 'one of the biggest and nastiest tax evaders in this country, who ran the sex industry in Christchurch and avoided tax', and has he any evidence to support his claims?"
Dr Cullen said Mr Henderson has taken the opportunity to table a response denying the claims and he had no further comment on the matter.
Mr Henderson was once called before a select committee and grilled over his long-running battles with Inland Revenue.
Mr Hide asked whether Dr Cullen found it ironic that the Film Commission had put $1.9 million into a movie, We're Here to Help, showing IRD victimised Mr Henderson.
Dr Cullen said: "The fact that the Film Commission has helped fund a film shows what a democracy this is.
"But I would like to quote to the member from the blurb for the film: 'This film does not purport to be an accurate account of the events involving Mr Henderson and the IRD'."
- NZPA