David Benson Pope© Fotopress - Ross Setford
May 16 2005 NewstalkZB [New Zealand]
Associate Education Minister David Benson Pope has been been stood down from the portfolio, while new allegations against him are investigated.
Last week in Parliament, Mr Benson Pope absolutely rejected allegations that when he was a teacher, he shoved a tennis ball in a student's mouth and taped the student's hands to the desk.
He told Parliament that he found the allegations disgraceful.
However, TV3 tonight showed footage of two of David Benson Pope's former students, claiming one was the tennis ball victim and the other was sitting next to him at the time.
The two men, who now live in Perth, Western Australia, say they have spoken out because they were angered by Mr Benson Pope's denials last week.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, the Prime Minister said Mr Benson Pope has, at his own request, stood aside from his portfolios while an independent investigation is conducted into the credibility of the allegations against him.
Helen Clark says she will be seeking advice from the Solicitor-General, Terence Arnold, on what form the inquiry should take.
She emphasises that Mr Benson Pope strongly refutes the allegations but has asked to stand aside while they are independently investigated.
Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper says misleading Parliament is seen as a serious transgression, particularly by a Cabinet minister.
http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,11981-4382307,00.html