Unidentified Witness in Clarkson Case

Stuff.co.nz
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Wellington (New Zealand):
A mysterious Labour Party member will give evidence to show the election campaign of National's MP for Tauranga Bob Clarkson was corrupt, a lawyer for New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said today.
The High Court is sitting in Tauranga to hear Mr Peters' election petition alleging Mr Clarkson spent more than the $20,000 allowed under the Electoral Act 1993. Mr Clarkson ousted New Zealand's new foreign minister from the seat he has held for the past 21 years by 730 votes in the September 17 election. Mr Peters' lawyer, Brian Henry, told the court he was seeking a declaration that Mr Clarkson's election was void.
If the court finds there were corrupt or illegal practices in Mr Clarkson's campaign, a by-election will be held in which the new MP will not be able to stand. Laws governing election campaigning were designed to create "a level playing field" to ensure "a large pocket book" couldn't buy a candidate a constituency, Mr Henry said.
The petition claims Mr Clarkson overspent his budget by more than five times, through the salary of his campaign manager Wayne Walford, a "push-polling" telephone campaign, billboards and newspaper advertising.
Nov 28, 2005