Police: More work to do before Richard Worth meeting

Richard Worth. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Police are yet to speak to ousted minister Richard Worth about the serious sexual allegation he faces from an Auckland businesswoman.

Officers have spoken to the Korean woman twice since she made the complaint about three weeks ago.

Police said yesterday officers were working on the case in Wellington, where the incident happened in March, and in Auckland, where the woman made the complaint.

Detective Inspector Paul Basham of Wellington said Dr Worth had assured them through his lawyer that he would co-operate with them. Mr Basham could not say when they would interview him.

"There remains a good deal of work left to complete."

Dr Worth has engaged top Auckland lawyer Paul Dacre, who was the Pitcairn Island public defender in the 2004 sex trial there.

Dr Worth is refusing to return calls, and Mr Dacre declined to comment.

The police investigation could involve contacting some of New Zealand's top politicians if the circumstances of the incident need to be established.

Prime Minister John Key was at the function the Korean woman has said she attended before the sexual encounter with Dr Worth.

Mr Key and dignitaries including Labour leader Phil Goff were at the Government's Commonwealth Day Observance reception in Wellington on the evening of March 9.

The woman's friend, who helped her go to the police and inform the National Party of her complaint, has told the Herald she said the incident happened after a "Commonwealth" function in early March where Dr Worth spoke.

Dr Worth gave a speech at the reception to celebrate the British Commonwealth held at St Paul's Cathedral.

The woman's friend has said the Auckland-based businesswoman travelled to Wellington, had drinks in Dr Worth's Beehive office, and was then walked to the function by his staff to meet up with him after the speech.

The friend said Dr Worth escorted the woman to a hotel he had arranged, where the sexual encounter took place. She had breakfast with him in the morning and returned to Auckland.

The Herald understands Dr Worth disputes this was the date he met the woman.