Judith Collins said it was clear David Benson-Pope was not going to resign.
Judith Collins said it was clear David Benson-Pope was not going to resign.
Parliament resumed after a week's recess this afternoon but for the first time since the "shower girls" allegations surfaced, David Benson-Pope was able to rest easy.
National has decided there is no political mileage in continuing to hammer the minister about his teaching record.
The Social Development Minister has faceda prolonged and damaging attack over mishandling of allegations that he acted inappropriately while he was a teacher.
It was claimed that as a teacher at Bayfield High School in Dunedin, Mr Benson-Pope entered the female dormitories and showers without warning, while 14-year-old girls were undressed. He has denied the claims.
National's Judith Collins, who has led the attacks, said today: "We have worked up about 150 questions, primary and supplementary questions, on the man. And, frankly, I think we have got the message - that he's not going to go, because Helen Clark has now said it is OK for her ministers to act like that."
She said her questioning of Mr Benson-Pope was her job as an opposition MP.
Act leader Rodney Hide was also central to the attacks, calling Mr Benson-Pope a "pervert".
Acting Prime Minister Michael Cullen has claimed Labour has a dirt file of its own on National MPs.
Mr Benson-Pope told the Herald earlier this month: "There is no issue. And that's been the most offensive part of what National has done -- deliberately pretending something happened that they know is not true."
