By EUGENE BINGHAM
With questions and complaints never abating, Act MP Deborah Coddington has felt battered by a blizzard for months.
It was her partner of 25 years, Alister Taylor, who was facing court action, but her political career continued to be dogged by questions about her involvement with his publishing businesses.
This week, she announced that she and Mr Taylor had split, saying it was not for political convenience but because of the constant financial strain.
She had severed any ties to his companies, not that this was easy. She said yesterday that there were still things she had not known until the Weekend Herald found out.
For much of their relationship, Ms Coddington was entwined with Mr Taylor's business ups and downs - from his publishing highs to a bankruptcy in the mid-1980s.
About four years ago, Mr Taylor's Who's Who chain of publications began to hit trouble here and around the world.
In Australia, his alleged late or non-delivery of books has led the New South Wales Commissioner for Fair Trading to take action in a case which is to go back before the court next month.
Because of her political position, Ms Coddington's role in the businesses became a matter of public interest, a point the former award-winning journalist said she understood.
"I think that the media have a duty to pick at things like this, especially when an MP is involved or connected. I think I have come out of this okay because I don't have anything to hide. It is hard. It hasn't been nice, I haven't liked it but ... "
This week, the Weekend Herald faxed her copies of two sets of documents - one relating to the Remuera house she and Mr Taylor shared with their children, and another relating to a financial interest Ms Coddington had in one of his businesses, Roger Jamieson Ltd.
Secured against the house, which was sold in February for $327,000, were two mortgages, one in favour of the ASB and the other to Mr Taylor.
The ASB facility allowed for drawing of up to $800,000. Ms Coddington's lawyer, Barry Wilson, said the mortgage had been raised to cover the proposed purchase of a new house and they had never drawn that much money.
The mortgage to Mr Taylor, she and Mr Taylor said, was to protect his interest in the house. When the house was sold, he waived repayment.
Instead, Ms Coddington set aside proceeds from the sale to settle outstanding accounts.
"She is contributing personally to debts of Mr Taylor for which she is in no way personally liable," said Mr Wilson.
Ms Coddington said she had not known about the debenture in her name over Roger Jamieson Ltd, which has since been struck off.
She received no repayment under the debenture.
Mr Taylor said the document, which covered $130,000 plus further advances, was to protect her interests in the business.
"As it turns out, that's all irrelevant because the proceeds of the house are being used for the business anyway," said Mr Taylor. "So there wasn't anything mysterious about it."
Ms Coddington said the financial strain had become too much. "It was just too distressing, it just destroyed me."
Mr Taylor said that perhaps he should have been more upfront with her, but he had viewed the publishing as his business.
"None of this is her responsibility. I think it's extremely unfair that she's been attacked through me to destroy her political career."
He believed that his business practices had improved, and books which remain overdue - including a register of Auckland Grammar School students and a Who's Who of the visual, fine arts, architecture, crafts and design world, would be out within months.
"I think her stance in recent months has given me a real jolt, not only personally but in terms of getting cracking ... I must admit I was all for her going into politics but it was really difficult because she was in Wellington, I was in Auckland, I was looking after the kids.
"I've always thought if I get my act together and be a good boy that perhaps long term the situation might resolve itself.
"That's still my hope."
* Email Eugene Bingham
Human cost of a partnership gone wrong
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