Accusations fly in drink probe

Press, 20 November 1987, Page 1

Accusations fly in drink probe

By

PETER LUKE,

political reporter

Accusations of foul play flew round Parliament yesterday as me opposition sought to probe the circumstances in which a Cabinet Minister was apprehended by Ministry of Transport officers on Tuesday evening. The Opposition had alleged on Wednesday evening in Parliament that the Minister of Defence, Mr Tizard, had failed a drink-driving test. This was confirmed yesterday by Ministry of Transport officials in Wellington. Results of a blood test and the laying of any charges would take a week to be known,

In Parliament yesterday, the Opposition asked the circumstances under which Mr Tizard had been apprehended. The Minister of Transport, Mr Jeffries, said he could not comment on the case as it was sub judice. Neither he nor the Minister ;of Police, Mr Tapsell, was involved, intervened or interfered with the process of law.

Mr Jeffries also said that he hoped that “for mere political purposes” the Opposition did not wish to challenge the presumption of innocence.

The Attorney-General, Mr Palmer, later condemned the Opposition for trying to discuss “the possible criminal charge against a Minister of the Crown.” “No-one is guilty until they have faced a court. The National Party has engaged in a deliberate and cynical campaign to persuade public opinion to prejudge the issue.” “It is vile and dirty politics of the worst kind,” said Mr Palmer. But the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger, said that it would have been remiss not to have raised the issue, given public concern with “the carnage on the roads.” He said he had every sympathy for Mr Tizard’s embarrassing position, but he also claimed that the Government had threatened to reveal information about Opposition members if the issue had been raised in the House. This tactic was reprehensible and unacceptable.

He also suggested that Labour had used the same tactic some years ago when they hounded the former member for Tauranga, Mr Keith Allen. Mr Tizard indicated yesterday that he would make no comment on the issue.