Official verifies PM's instructions to release Corngate documents

By HELEN TUNNAH, deputy political editor

A second official in the Prime Minister's department has confirmed she told its chief executive, Mark Prebble, to release internal memos on a genetically modified corn scare as instructed by Helen Clark.

Dr Mary Anne Thompson, a policy director in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, told MPs yesterday that she thought documents Dr Prebble held back should have been released to meet the Prime Minister's instructions for full disclosure over the controversy.

She also backed Helen Clark's claim that the two had never met to discuss keeping the memos secret.

The row arose after a book alleging GM corn had been grown in New Zealand was published during last year's election campaign.

Opposition parties say Helen Clark and some in Government knew the GM corn had been released in 2000 but had not told the public.

When Nicky Hager's book was published, Helen Clark ordered all relevant documents relating to the scare be made public to show she had not been involved in a coverup.

Eighteen hundred documents were released, but Dr Prebble withheld certain memos on the issue. Staff member Ruth Wilkie objected, saying at least one she wrote contained important information.

Dr Prebble has said he made the decision without telling Helen Clark.

Dr Thompson yesterday told MPs reviewing the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet that she agreed with Ruth Wilkie.

"I heard the Prime Minister during those few days, in which she had said, 'Release everything'. I took that to mean, including our own reports. As far as I was concerned, the directive was quite clear."

Dr Thompson said she and Helen Clark never discussed the release of documents, but she did tell Dr Prebble the memos should not be withheld.

Dr Prebble said in his view the memos were "trivial" and did not outweigh practices to maintain the ability of prime ministers to manage Cabinet. One of those practices allowed for material to be withheld under the Official Information Act.