Stuart Nash has dismissed a television report claiming that political spin doctor Simon Lusk was paid by associates of his to investigate the possibility of a new political party. The two-part story by Duncan Garner which aired on TV3's Story was Mr Lusk's first ever television interview, and left more than a few feathers ruffled in Parliament. Mr Lusk, who lives in Havelock North, declined to comment due to "fishing commitments".
However, Mr Nash brushed off the whole event, saying the story was out there in February.
"The thing with this is that it is actually old news," he said.
"This is the one story where I have just got no comment on this, it is a non issue, it is not an issue that is important to anyone.
"So all I will say is that I have said everything I want to say about Simon Lusk. What I am doing is concentrating on the issues that are important to the people of Napier."
On the issue of the $20,000 paid to Mr Lusk to investigate him leading a new party, Mr Nash responded saying: "If I didn't want to be with Labour I wouldn't be with Labour. I am committed 110 per cent," he said.
The Napier MP did explain to Mr Garner that what his colleagues did is they asked him if there was any value in setting up a centre party.
"And I said no there is not," he told Garner.
Tukituki MP Craig Foss has said that while he has never "used his services", Mr Lusk was a part of his 2005 campaign.
He said when he first learned about the alleged payment it was a surprise.
"Just the mere fact of contemplating and the going through with the report I was quite astounded," he said. "I was very very surprised that it went to that extent. If I did that in my party I would have been kicked out."
During the report Mr Lusk revealed that his next target was Phil Twyford, Labour's spokesman for housing. Earlier this year Mr Twyford said data, over a three month period, showed buyers of Chinese descent accounted for almost 40 per cent of housing purchases in Auckland.
He said at the time that this figure suggested strongly that overseas Chinese were investing in the city.
Mr Lusk told Mr Garner that Chinese money would be used in a direct mail-out to vote against Mr Twyford.
When he was pushed on whether or not he knew Mr Twyford was in Mr Lusk's crosshairs, Mr Nash responded "what Simon Lusk does is up to Simon Lusk".
When questioned about it on Friday, Mr Nash said he had absolutely no idea about it.
"And that is the absolute truth," he said.
Mr Foss said while he had no idea about Mr Nash's knowledge of the situation, he did say a lot of people were offended by what Mr Twyford and Labour had said.
"Twyford was the spokesperson for Labour to announce that and to me it was disgusting, disgraceful and misinformed and about three dog whistles in one mouth it was a shocker," he said.
"And so if people are still looking to express their views about that via Simon as he said on TV, well good on them."
Mr Lusk is a staunch opponent of the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.
Mr Nash said: "That is it is not a political advocacy it is a community advocacy and Simon is one who is on record on advocating on behalf of those who have concerns."