KEY POINTS:
An inquiry into claims that Climate Change Minister David Parker told the Environment Ministry to hire a Labour Party activist will not be widened to take in political smears against the whistleblower.
National MPs claim political interference was behind the ministry employing Labour Party official Clare Curran after Mr Parker recommended her.
The State Services Commission (SSC) has launched an inquiry into the allegation.
The National Party's claims won backing last week from public relations consultant Erin Leigh, who claimed that Mr Parker pushed to get Ms Curran employed at the ministry to peddle his own personal agenda.
Ms Leigh's claims in turn spurred Environment Minister Trevor Mallard to attack her credibility, saying she was incompetent.
However, two former bosses of Ms Leigh have since defended her record, leading National to accuse Mr Mallard of smear tactics.
National Party leader John Key said yesterday that the SSC should widen its inquiry to take into account Mr Mallard's smears against Ms Leigh.
"It's just true to form. The moment someone speaks out, Labour tries to undermine them and belittle them instead of asking themselves the hard questions about whether they've stepped over the line," Mr Key said.
But an SSC spokesman said the issue of Ms Leigh's performance did not fall within the inquiry's terms of reference.
Ms Leigh's performance was a responsibility of the ministry's chief executive, he said.
Mr Parker has said he merely suggested Ms Curran's name and did not order the ministry to hire her.
- NZPA
