Fox accuses Government officials of treason

Maori Television Service negotiator Derek Fox accused Government officials of treason and sabotage in a letter to Finance Minister Michael Cullen over the channel's negotiations for a transmission platform.

Mr Fox said in the letter dated March last year that Ministry of Economic Development officials had sabotaged talks with CanWest.

The letter was obtained by National MP Murray McCully under the Official Information Act.

Ministry chief executive Geoff Dangerfield said the claims had no foundation.

* Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey said this week that the Government would stick by Maori Television no matter how many "shock, horror" stories were written about it. It was "one of the most exciting public broadcasting projects ever attempted in this country".