Report clears Tamihere of main allegations

An investigation into allegations against Labour MP John Tamihere has cleared him of the majority of accusations but has left a number of questions hanging.

A 100 page report by Douglas White QC follows revelations that Mr Tamihere had accepted a $195,000 payout from the Waipareira Trust after publicly saying he would not take it.

Some raised questions over whether tax was paid and who was liable for it.

Mr White concludes the tax liability had always rested with the Trust and Mr Tamihere was entitled to believe that.

Mr White notes that Mr Tamihere never declared the payouts to the taxman, but said it was up to Inland Revenue to decide whether this is a problem.

The QC also said Mr Tamihere should have declared on the ministerial register that he received a car from Westland.

Mr Tamihere quit the Cabinet after conceding that it could be seen as hypocritical to take the payout after saying he would not accept it and after Labour had campaigned against golden handshakes in the 1999 election.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is also investigating a number of allegations involving the trust and Mr Tamihere.

The SFO does not comment on investigations until they result in charges or are dropped.

- NZPA