KEY POINTS:
Prime Minister John Key has asked cabinet minister Paula Bennett if there was any correspondence about her support for a violent street gang member bailed to her house.
"I asked her pretty directly the week earlier and the answer I got was there hadn't been any correspondence," he told NewstalkZB this morning.
However, there were two letters which Ms Bennett released on Saturday. She apologised for failing to mention the letters but Mr Key today revealed he had directly asked about correspondence.
Mr Key said when he asked about the correspondence Ms Bennett made a "delineation" between her personal and work capacities.
She did state her occupation in the letters.
"The bottom line is I should have known about those letters, I didn't and I am very confident Paula Bennett won't make that mistake again."
While an opposition MP, Ms Bennett wrote the letters to the sentencing judge and Parole Board about Viliami Halaholo, 23, the boyfriend of her 21-year-old daughter Ana and the father of her two-year-old granddaughter Tiara-Lee.
"I allowed him to live at my house while on bail, and supported his efforts to turn his life around," Ms Bennett said.
"I felt writing the letters was the best way to support my daughter and grandchild."
Mr Key said Ms Bennett had not breached any rules and she had his confidence.
- NZPA