Samuels seeks utu over underage sex claim

By EUGENE BINGHAM political reporter

The uncle of a woman at the centre of unfounded sex allegations against Dover Samuels says he wants to provoke the sacked minister into suing him so the case can go to court.

But Rodney Tregerthan of Wellington may not have to wait long to be stung with a lawsuit.

Mr Samuels plans to meet his lawyer this morning to discuss legal options after the police announcement yesterday that they had completed their investigations into accusations against him.

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson said there was insufficient evidence to charge Mr Samuels over the outstanding allegation of having had sex with the woman when she was under his care and protection as a teenager.

It followed the decision last month that detectives had no grounds to prosecute him over claims of rape and underage sex involving the same woman.

The 61-year-old Te Tai Tokerau MP lost his job as Minister of Maori Affairs in June, a week after allegations about his relationship with the woman in the mid-1980s were made public.

He denied any criminal wrongdoing, but admitted having an affair with the woman, now aged 31.

Mr Tregerthan said last night that he would repeat the allegations against Mr Samuels until the MP took him to court.

He said the woman herself was considering going public and discussing her relationship with Mr Samuels.

It was not yet known how she would do this, although she had decided against taking up "blood money" offers of payment for her story from some media offices.

Mr Samuels said he felt vindicated by the police decision and he would now seek justice for himself and his family.

He would ask his lawyers to look at whether there was a case for a defamation action or whether the woman should be charged with making a false complaint to the police.

There were also outstanding allegations that the family of the woman had tried to extort money from him over the allegations.

Police said last night that they would be prepared to investigate a complaint of blackmail if one were laid.

But they said there was no suggestion that the woman had made a false complaint. A police spokeswoman said there was no indication "from our inquiries at this time that would indicate this to be true."

Mr Samuels said the past three months had put a tremendous emotional and financial strain on his family and he was relieved it was over.

While his lawyer, Peter Williams, QC, said he believed that Mr Samuels should be reinstated to the cabinet, Mr Samuels said he would not press hard for this.

"That is a matter for the Prime Minister," he said.

Asked if Helen Clark had his loyalty, Mr Samuels said: "There's a couple of sayings: 'Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone,' and 'Treat others as you would expect to be treated.'

"I'll let you read into that yourself."

A spokesman for Helen Clark said she was pleased for Mr Samuels and his family and said it was time for the episode to be closed.

But she stood by her decision to sack him on the grounds that he lacked the moral authority to remain a cabinet minister.