Maori Party inch closer to National Coalition

Labour denies dirty tricks
Labour and New Zealand First last night denied attempting to pervert the course of justice over the privileges report on New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. The serious accusation was made by Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples - who also condemned Mr Peters' attacks on the Maori Party. The accusations follow Tuesday's majority vote of censure by Parliament against Mr Peters for knowingly filing a false return of pecuniary interests, notably a $100,000 donation for his legal expenses from Monaco-based billionaire Owen Glenn. The Maori Party held the balance of power on the vote in the House and it supported the censure motion. If it had changed its vote and joined Labour and New Zealand First, it could have blocked it. Dr Sharples said a minister telephoned him twice - on Sunday and on Monday - to try to persuade the Maori Party to oppose the censure motion. He also said a New Zealand First staff member had sought to influence MP Te Ururoa Flavell - who was on the privileges committee - during a meeting. "Both Tariana Turia and myself were disgusted with this kind of activity, aimed at perverting the course of justice and fair play."

If it were anyone else making these comments, it would be a storm in a teacup, but it’s Pita freakin Sharples making these claims, and it takes a hell of a lot to make Pita angry, but angry he is with the pressure put on the Maori Party to change their vote on a man whom they have supported and given kindness to, but they ultimately had to base their decision on the facts and the facts are Winnie got caught out and was too arrogant to man up to that. This is another indicator that the Maori Party and the Nats are looking to cut a deal, and the Maori Party leadership are giving public oxygen to tensions between Labour and them.