National feeling heat over allegations against Peters

By HELEN TUNNAH deputy political editor

Allegations levelled against New Zealand First leader Winston Peters over the scampi inquiry have landed the National Party in a messy scrap with its arch-political rival.

Mr Peters claims that National and its MP David Carter are behind claims aired on Television New Zealand that he accepted several free meals from the owner of a company involved in an investigation by a parliamentary committee on which Mr Peters sat.

Mr Peters has strenuously denied claims that his behaviour was improper and begun legal action against TVNZ, but admitted Mr Simunovich paid for one dinner for him during last year's inquiry into the allocation of scampi quota.

Both men say the bill was met because Mr Peters was overcharged on a previous visit.

Mr Peters said he would not allow the row to become an attack on his party.

"If people want a free-for-all, they've come to the right place. That's exactly what they'll get.

"Have a privileges inquiry? I can't wait to get there."

Mr Carter will today ask Speaker Jonathan Hunt to refer the row to Parliament's privileges committee for an investigation. He has denied National is involved in any way in the trouble swirling around Mr Peters.

"I think that's Mr Peters trying to turn the heat on anybody but himself."

Amid a bitter fallout, Mr Peters left National more than a decade ago, forming NZ First on an anti-corporate-corruption platform.

National's declining fortunes in political polls comes as NZ First consolidates its position.

National could expect to benefit if NZ First's support, based strongly on Mr Peters' personal credibility, was harmed.

Since TVNZ aired the claims against Mr Peters, on Thursday and Friday, National has stressed that Mr Carter is speaking only as chairman of the scampi inquiry, and not as one of its MPs.

Mr Carter has told the Herald he knew about the planned corruption tale against Mr Peters for three days before telling his leader, Don Brash, last Thursday morning.

Dr Brash has also rejected claims his party was linked to the scandal.

"David Carter was interviewed by TV One, I understand, as chairman of the primary production select committee. He was not talking as a National Party person."

National's deputy leader, Gerry Brownlee, has, however, expressed some sympathy for Mr Peters.

On Friday he said it was a "nonsense" to suggest one meal had unduly influenced Mr Peters' behaviour on the committee.

"There wouldn't be one member of Parliament who hasn't accepted a free meal from a lobby group, or some other vested interest group, to my knowledge. Not one."

The year-long scampi inquiry was sparked by claims made by Mr Peters of collusion between Ministry of Fisheries officials and fishing companies in awarding scampi fishing rights.

He did not, and nor did anyone else, detail those claims to the inquiry.

Mr Peters and the other MPs on the committee cleared Peter Simunovich and his Simunovich fishing company of any wrongdoing.

TVNZ last week revealed a Kermadec restaurant diary noted co-owner Mr Simunovich had paid for a meal for Mr Peters during the inquiry.

A day later the state-owned broadcaster said it had affidavits from three managers at the restaurant, part-owned by Mr Simunovic, that Mr Peters regularly ate there without paying.

WHO'S SAYING WHAT

National MP David Carter "I absolutely assure you that in no way is the National Party connected with these accusations."

National deputy Gerry Brownlee "There wouldn't be one member of Parliament who hasn't accepted a free meal from a lobby group, or some other vested interest group, to my knowledge. Not one."