Support for Key Government hangs in the dock

The latest documents released in the John Banks case raise serious questions about the credibility of John Key’s Government that continues to be propped up by the discredited ACT MP, Labour MP Grant Robertson says.

“We now know why John Banks was so keen to keep his statement to police secret.

“In his ruling that Banks has to stand trial for filing a false electoral return for his failed 2010 Auckland Mayoralty campaign, Justice Edwin Wylie released part of John Banks witness statement to Police for the first time. In it he admits asking for the donation from Kim Dotcom and telling him he could make it anonymously.

“This new information came from Banks’ three-hour police interview. The ruling also revealed Banks’ claims he can’t recall meeting Sky City boss Nigel Morrison or being handed a casino-branded envelope with a cheque in it for $15,000. This is despite both Mr Morrison and his executive assistant giving very specific details of handing over the cheque.

“John Banks refused to allow police to publicly release his statement. It’s clear he did that because the statement raises serious issues about Banks credibility and honesty.

“The National Party is donkey deep in this as well. We also learn from the Judge’s remarks that former National Party president Michelle Boag was fundraising for Banks at the time, although she says he told her not to talk to Sky City.

“It is clear John Banks has a serious case to answer. John Key also needs to consider what it says about the Government he is leading when it is propped up by someone who has covered up his actions at every turn,” Grant Robertson says.

—