12. Hon PETE HODGSON (Labour—Dunedin North) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Why did he lose confidence in Dr Richard Worth as a Minister?
Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) Link to this
I refer the member to the response to question No. 12 on Tuesday, 16 June.
What information, if any, did the Prime Minister’s office seek and receive that led him to the view that he did not have confidence in Dr Richard Worth as a Minister?
As I have said on numerous occasions in this House, I am not going to go into those specifics because I do not believe it is in the public interest to do so. But I am satisfied that Dr Richard Worth met the test of no longer enjoyed my confidence.
Has the Prime Minister sought the telephone records of his former Minister of Internal Affairs in order to investigate whether taxpayer-funded telephones were improperly used to arrange meetings for favours or to make harassing calls or texts; if not, why not?
The member made some allegations and assumptions in his question. I think he should be careful not to do so. But I can say that, yes, my office has sought and received a copy of Dr Worth’s mobile phone records. Of course, the member will be well aware that phone records do not provide any evidence as to what calls and texts were for or about.
Did the Prime Minister receive those mobile phone records before or after he lost confidence in Dr Richard Worth as a Minister?
Mr SPEAKER