Prime Minister John Key has today announced senior minister Judith Collins has resigned from the Government's Cabinet.
The resignation sees the Prime Minister lose his Minister of Justice, ACC and Ethnic Affairs just 21 days before the September 20 General Election.
Judith Collins has today resigned from the Government's Cabinet.
The Prime Minister says the resignation of Ms Collins followed the receipt of new information that raises allegations about her conduct as a Minister.
'The relationship between a Minister and their Chief Executive is vital, and goes right to the heart of a trusted, effective government.
'This new information suggests Ms Collins may have been engaged in discussions with a blogger in 2011 aimed at undermining the then director of the Serious Fraud Office. Ms Collins was the Minister responsible for the SFO at the time,” says the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister released an email which had been recently been provided to his office.
'I have spoken with Ms Collins about the matters in the email, and she strongly denies any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour on her part.
'Ms Collins accepts these are serious allegations and that resigning as a Minister is the honourable step to take in these circumstances."
The Prime Minister says Ms Collins resignation takes effect immediately, and Hon Christopher Finlayson will be Acting Minister of Justice, Hon Craig Foss will be Acting Minister for ACC, and Hon Hekia Parata will be Acting Minister for Ethnic Affairs.
Judith Collins says she informed the Prime Minister this morning that she was resigning as a Minister from Cabinet.
'A new allegation has come to light from an email conversation from 2011 between Cameron Slater and others suggesting I was undermining the then Director of the Serious Fraud Office. I was not party to this email or discussion and have only today been made aware of it,” says Judith.
'I absolutely and strongly deny this and any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour.
'I am restrained in clearing my name while I am still a Minister inside Cabinet and I believe the right thing to do is to resign as a Minister so I am able to clear my name.”
Judith says she's asked the Prime Minister for an inquiry into these serious allegations 'so that my name can be cleared”.
'I will, of course, cooperate with any Inquiry.”
Judith says the Election should be focused on the issues that matter such as law and order, health, education and the economy 'and I do not want this matter to be a distraction for the Prime Minister or the National Party during the campaign”.
'I am a strong advocate for the people of Papakura and I will continue to put the same passion and energy into representing them.
'I am getting on with my job as MP for Papakura and will campaign strongly for re-election this year."
16 comments
Collinsgate hits the dust
Posted on 30-08-2014 13:54 | By Jack Attack
She has become an embarrassment to the Nats so the only way for Key to save face was for her to resign. Still leaves Key with egg on his face for condoning her alleged inappropriate behaviour for so long.
Ding Dong
Posted on 30-08-2014 14:31 | By mutley
the Witch is dead !
Right or wrong?
Posted on 30-08-2014 15:15 | By How about this view!
Only time and a few trips to the lawyers will resolve this mess and if she is found to be wrong, "don't let the door hit you on the way out". But, is this going to be what we should expect for the next few YEARS in our political system? Thinking back, there have been quite a few political embarrassments, involving most of the political parties. But, I don't think that there has been the same sense of feral vindictiveness that I believe is present at this election. As I have said in the past, some real thought needs to be put into the real cost of your vote. There is a huge backdoor into parliament and those that enter that way are already lining up with their demands I fear.
More to Do
Posted on 30-08-2014 15:36 | By Merlin
I think John Key still has more to do about the other stuff from within his offices dealings with Cameron Slater to get rid of the tarnish.
And so...
Posted on 30-08-2014 16:38 | By penguin
......we wait for Key to do the honourable thing and give up his role. His credibility is in tatters for desperately defending Collins against all odds. He should have shown strong leadership ages ago. But he chose to play 'games.' Who wants a person like this as a Prime Minister?
Her downfall
Posted on 30-08-2014 16:39 | By Johnney
Only twits use twitter and she was a great twitter. Looks like emails also were her downfall. Let's get on with the real issues now instead of listening to all this boring muck raking.
collins
Posted on 30-08-2014 16:40 | By surfsup
She may have resigned as a minister but will still stay as an mp and all the perks that go with it.If PM feels the need for her to resign as a mimister she should go completely.
Jmac
Posted on 30-08-2014 17:53 | By JohnMac
I hope we can now be relieved of the distractions of the past weeks and focus on issues that really have an effect on families and those who work hard to make this economy and country a good one to belong to.
Give Credit where it is Due
Posted on 30-08-2014 20:50 | By carpedeum
Hey Jack- what about also all the really good things that Judith Collins has done for NZ while she has been Minister of Justice and all the great things she did as Minister of Police!!!- dont be so quick to put the boot in when someone is down please.
Give Credit where it is Due
Posted on 30-08-2014 21:51 | By Jeromy Murkin
Education,Health, Housing, Welfare, Television, sports teams,and the biggest and most "dangerous" separatist system the law,yes the separatist legal system. Examples lately the "kings" son, trout poachers in Roturua saying NZ law has no "jurisdiction" to deal with them, here we have a clear "NZ" court ruling on the case of James Takamore, the recent probe into the national Kohanga Reo, people there even admitted they misused money for their own benefits,and then it gets down right dangerous in the case of the Kahui twins murder where police did not go into the house straight away because of "cultural" practises when they did all forensic evidence had been destroyed then the so called "tight 5" got together and what should have been a straight forward investigation turned into an act of biblical proportions.thank you Judith. Finlayson is keeping a low "profile' I thought he'd be out celebrating the "separatism
Key's disciples
Posted on 31-08-2014 10:13 | By Jack Attack
The last supper is nigh. Farewell "Judas" Collins. Do the honourable thing.
Oh no!!!!!!
Posted on 31-08-2014 10:59 | By Sambo Returns
more gloating to come from "Winnie", all his disciples will quickly hear how he is the one that "has the power". The press and a bottom feeding whale, are not blameless in causing her resignation, a shame really as she had real "moxy", but Mr Key has had to say enough is enough, and the National Party is about making this Country a better place, not lowing standards to even try and justify this sort of egotistical points scoring, thanks Judith for the good things you have done as a Minister for this Country.
Key's disciples
Posted on 31-08-2014 12:08 | By Jack Attack
It is understandable for the Nats to jump to Judith's defence. This does not make her alleged 'dirty tricks' acceptable, but it does show the blinkered political bias that is rife in the National party.
How good is her shovel
Posted on 31-08-2014 12:47 | By Bronzewing
No doubt the only reason Key has let her stay on when he sacked others for way less is she knows where his stuff is buried. How long before she gets her shovel out and buries him? Someone as aggressive as her will not let this lie. If she had done the "honourable" thing yesterday, she would have done it a VERY long time ago
POOR JUDE
Posted on 31-08-2014 20:48 | By crazyhorse
What about the "troll" Finlayson, sets the whole country down the road of "apartheid",then hides under John boys skirts when election time comes, he is unelected no one would vote for him last time round, anyone going to vote for him this time around?, "racist" National government, promoting separatism!.
Hey Jude
Posted on 02-09-2014 14:43 | By Bonnie
Hey Jude, don't look so sad, It's a bad scene, but make it better Remember to hold your head up high and come back better, better, better!
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