1:45 PM
Alliance MP Phillida Bunkle and Labour MP Marian Hobbs are maintaining their innocence despite being forced to give up their ministerial portfolios today.
The pair handed in their ministerial warrants, saying the pressure from continuing inquiries into their eligibility for parliamentary allowances, makes it impossible to do their jobs.
However both say they have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be cleared.
Neither Ms Hobbs nor Ms Bunkle have been available for comment since the announcement this morning.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister denies she forced the pair to resign.
Helen Clark says things came to a head after the Auditor General's office this week suggested there was a case to answer after the pair continued to receive out-of-town allowances of up to $15,000 a year while enrolled in Wellington Central.
Ms Hobbs owned a home in Christchurch and Ms Bunkle in Waikanae.
- IRN
PM accepts resignations from Bunkle, Hobbs
Bunkle, Hobbs resign portfolios
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Delight as Pharmac proposes to fund new cancer drug
Overall, more than 800 patients would benefit, Pharmac said.