Brashes enjoy night of fashion

Don Brash and wife Je Lan stuck close together. Picture / Greg Bowker

Don Brash and his wife Je Lan presented a united front last night when they stepped out in public for the first time since the National Party leader acknowledged they were having marital difficulties.

The pair stuck close together at the Air New Zealand Fashion Week opening in Auckland, smiling and occasionally whispering to each other.

Dr Brash would not be drawn on his private life, saying only: "It's good to be here."

He later told the Herald: "We always show a unified front."

Dr Brash, wearing a Murray Crane suit and striped tie, said he "wasn't terribly fashion conscious" but enjoyed Fashion Week immensely.

"It's nice to be out relaxing tonight," he said.

Prime Minister Helen Clark and Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard spoke to the crowd of 1000.