Smith’s letter means he needs to go

A press release from the Labour Party by David Shearer

Labour Leader David Shearer says Government minister Nick Smith has acted inappropriately in trying to influence the case of a long-term ACC complainant, and should resign.
“The extent of Mr Smith’s wrongdoing has become clearer over the course of the day. First thing this morning he was saying he had done nothing wrong. Three hours later he was apologising for a lapse of judgement.
“A reading of the letter he wrote on behalf of former National Party official, Bronwyn Pullar, shows it was much more than a lapse of judgement. He was trying to influence her case,” David Shearer said.
“He discussed in the letter her ability to work prior to her accident and said he was providing the information ‘for comparative assessment’ of her medical condition.
“This was done on Ministerial letterhead that drew attention to Nick Smith’s role as the then Minister for ACC.
“This is a breach of the Cabinet manual and had the potential to compromise the work of ACC.
“Earlier today I said a Minister behaving like Nick Smith would not serve in a Cabinet I run. Having now reviewed the text of Nick Smith’s letter, I believe the only appropriate course of action is for him to resign.
“If he does not do so, John Key should remove him,” David Shearer said.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1203/S00261/smiths-letter-means-he-needs-to-go.htm