KEY POINTS:
Prime Minister Helen Clark will today have to decide whether to do what others have been pushing her to since February, when the issue of donations to New Zealand First first began to bubble.
The Prime Minister has continued to stand by Winston Peters, but gradually her language has changed to add more caveats to her support:
On emails in the Herald revealing Owen Glenn gave money to NZ First:
15 July 2008: "One thing I am not responsible for is New Zealand First. The buck stops somewhere else on that one."
16 July 2008: "I am not commenting on anything to do with funding NZ First may or may not have received."
After Mr Peters revealed Owen Glenn donated $100,000 in legal costs and claimed he had not known until his lawyer told him:
22 July 2008: "In his position, I'd be embarrassed if that was what I was told after making clear denials ... I'm in the position that Mr Peters is an honourable member and I must accept his word, unless I have evidence to the contrary."
After allegations in the Dominion Post about donations from the Vela brothers and their fishing companies:
22 July 2008: Helen Clark said the allegations were "serious" but unsubstantiated and until she thought it was "seriously affecting" the job Mr Peters was doing, she did not have a concern.
"I think it's important to be fair and not rush to judgment."
After further allegations about a $25,000 donation from Sir Bob Jones which was paid into the Spencer Trust:
29 July: "I have been given no reason to believe that there is any illegality. I continue to watch closely developments on all matters around ministers but at this time I have no reason to doubt Mr Peters' word."
Yesterday morning, when Clark was revealing Owen Glenn had told her in February that he donated to Winston Peters:
"I want to see the matter dealt with obviously, but as I've consistently said I feel I've got a duty to be fair. I have not known Mr Peters to lie to me and I have to take people as I find them."
Last night, after Serious Fraud Office announces it will investigate:
"I will be talking with [Winston Peters] directly, that will most likely be tomorrow. I understand that he has engaged legal counsel, he will want to consult that counsel."
* Helen Clark's longest day, in quotes:
11.45AM: Helen Clark admits knowing about Owen Glenn's donation in February this year.
"He [Owen Glenn] stated his view then that he had contributed money - whether it was to New Zealand First or to some other fund that's lost in the mists of time."
Clark on Winston Peters' version of the Glenn donation:
"I have not known Mr Peters to lie to me and I have to take people as I find them."
1.15PM - Peters: "Put up or shut up, SFO. I am prepared to wait on the court steps for them and if they don't turn up they can go away for ever."
5.30PM: Serious Fraud Office director Grant Liddell says the office will investigate whether donations by Sir Robert Jones and the Vela family to NZ First reached their intended destinations: "I have sufficient information that gives me reason to suspect that an investigation may reveal serious and complex fraud."
6PM: Clark arranges meeting with Peters: "I hope to be able to be clear about the way forward tomorrow."
Act leader Rodney Hide: "Helen Clark has to stand him down."
6.55PM - Peters on the SFO investigation: "Ridiculous in the extreme."
