Minister's defence takes a hit

David Benson-Pope

David Benson-Pope's political fightback was dealt another blow last night when the teacher he has cited for two days running as supporting his version of events denied she could do so.

Jillian Armstrong-Sagvari told the Otago Daily Times she could not give assurances that Mr Benson-Pope did not strike student Geana Earl on the thigh during an abseiling incident at a school camp.

"I was not in a position to see a slap if it had occurred," she said.

Mr Benson-Pope claimed in Parliament and repeated later on television that Mrs Armstrong-Sagvari was present at the abseiling and had said the incident complained of did not happen.

He was relying on a letter the Bayfield High School principal sent to Ms Earl's parents saying Mrs Armstrong-Sagvari "did not observe any slap".

Mrs Armstrong-Sagvari, who was a first-year teacher at the time, said it was true that she did not observe a slap, but that was because she was not there to witness it, as she was helping other students.

The revelation came on the day that the Social Development Minister finally publicly answered questions about the "shower girls" allegations arising from a school camp also.

Yesterday, the Government also launched its own attack on the Opposition, accusing them of "sleazy accusations".

Mrs Armstrong-Sagvari's statement removes one of Mr Benson-Pope's defences and provides the Opposition with more ammunition when the House resumes in a week.

In Parliament on Wednesday, when Act Party leader Rodney Hide accused Mr Benson-Pope of slapping a girl, the minister replied: "I completely refute the ridiculous statement".

But Ms Earl is standing by her claim.

She has told the Otago Daily Times it was more than a dismissive slap and that it left a mark on her leg.

In 1997, when the event allegedly happened, Ms Earl's parents sent a letter of complaint to Bayfield High detailing the slap.

Yesterday in Parliament, Mr Benson-Pope again denied he had struck Ms Earl's thigh.

"I would say to Geana Earl that she should recall not only my refutation of her allegation but also that of the school and the female staff member, Ms Armstrong, who was present at the same time, which was communicated to her parents some years ago."

However, Mr Hide said in Parliament that he had spoken to a second person who had witnessed the thigh slap.

Mr Benson-Pope also denied it to the Herald, saying: "Of course I touched her. I would have had my feet on hers trying to stop her moving the wrong one at the wrong time.

"But slap her I didn't. And more importantly, Jill Armstrong, who was there, confirmed that."

Earlier yesterday, the minister told the Herald that he had not considered resigning over the allegations, but regretted putting his colleagues and family through the trauma.

He admitted he had, at times, mishandled his responses to the allegations.

"I guess the hardest thing for me, in the context of my absolute conviction that my behaviour was appropriate then and now, is that some of this stuff is being said.

"Every time there is an allegation, I can unpick it."

In Parliament, the Government swung in behind the Social Development Minister, launching its own offensive against the Opposition, in particular Mr Hide and National MP Judith Collins.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen accused them of running a "campaign of continuous misrepresentation of what actually happened".

Dr Cullen also accused Mr Hide of "sleazy accusations".

Not only has Mr Benson-Pope cited Mrs Armstrong-Sagvari in Parliament, but Dr Cullen also referred in the House to her "evidence".

"I have seen the reply that was drafted by the school to be sent, which also cited evidence from the accompanying female schoolteacher that no slap was observed to have occurred."

Prime Minister Helen Clark said last night that she was not going to get involved in the matter.