KEY POINTS:
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has lashed out at the media again, saying it is to blame for the political storm enveloping him.
Mr Peters has been stood down from his ministerial portfolios while four separate inquiries by the authorities investigate him or his party.
Parliament's privileges
committee is investigating his treatment of a $100,000 donation from Owen Glenn to pay his legal fees.
Mr Peters said he never knew about it until July this year, but Mr Glenn said he solicited it.
The Serious Fraud Office is looking into what happened to large donations to NZ First, some of which were funnelled through the Spencer Trust and never declared.
Both the police and the Electoral Commission are investigating why the party filed nil donation returns in 2005, 2006 and 2007, when it appears large donations were made.
Former party president Dail Jones has already admitted the failure in 2005 was a breach of electoral law, but this was due to an administrative error.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday Mr Peters belligerent attitude and his relationship with the media were part of the cause of his problems, but today he showed little sign of a change in tactics.
The media were responsible for his problems, he said.
"They are like a school of piranhas circling society, seeking to slash, tear, maim and destroy anything that shows any signs of weakness, non-conformity or heaven forbid - criticises the media," Mr Peters told a Grey Power meeting in Auckland.
"Editors of our major newspapers, television stations and radio stations have all decided getting rid of Peters is the most important political story in the country."
Mr Peters said the media were failing to tell NZ First's or his side of the story.
- NZPA and other media organisations have repeatedly asked Mr Peters, his staff, MPs, party office holders and former party officers holders to comment or explain the party's financial arrangements and the apparent breaches of the law, and all have either refused or said they cannot comment.
Mr Jones said he had never heard of the Spencer Trust or its donations until it was named in the media.
Mr Peters told Grey Power his side of the story had yet to be told.
"We have made some mistakes - trivial human mistakes that can be rectified. We are confident about this," Mr Peters said.
"Our mistakes happened after a change of three key office holders and in one case a serious communications gap. Fair minded New Zealanders know that I have never enriched myself on any battle fought on their behalf."
- NZPA
