MPS IN NEW ROW OVER DRUGS CLAIM

Wellington: A new political scandal hit Parliament yesterday when Prime
Minister Helen Clark suggested National had spread rumours about drugs
being found in a crashed ministerial car.

Wellington's Evening Post newspaper reported cannabis was found in Health
Minister Annette King's new VW Beetle when it was written off on New Year's
Eve in a head-on crash near Taupo while being driven by her daughter, Amanda.

There was a male passenger in the car, Simon Henify. Both were injured, as
was the driver of the other car involved.

"I understand the National Party were very quick to spread rumours about
this particular matter," Ms Clark said on TV1 One News.

"The whole style of their politics this year, from the day they walked back
into Parliament, labelling me as a childless woman and continuing their
personal attacks, has been pretty grubby."

National deputy leader Bill English angrily rejected Ms Clark's claim.

"It's absolute rubbish to suggest anyone in National is behind the
allegations. That is not the kind of stuff we would get involved in," he
told NZPA.

"She's making accusations that she can't justify and I think it's time the
prime minister calmed down - she's out of control."

Mrs King said in a statement to the Evening Post her 30-year-old daughter
had assured her that any accusations that she was in possession of any
banned substance in the car were false.

Police have refused to comment, saying the accident was still under
investigation.

The new row follows the bitter feud between the Government and National
over claims earlier this week that a research grant given to Ms Clark's
husband, Prof Peter Davis, created conflict of interest.

Prof Davis is heading a team which is investigating the impact of health
policy changes over the past 10 years.

It was raised last Sunday by National health spokesman Wyatt Creech,
bringing a furious response from Ms Clark, who said her husband's integrity
had been impugned.

Speaker Jonathan Hunt has asked MPs to lower the temperature and has called
a meeting of party whips next week to discuss the issue of MPs' families
being dragged into politics.

But in Parliament yesterday, Mr Creech vowed to continue his campaign.

"She [Ms Clark] called me a scumbag and a sleazeball," he said. "I utterly
reject Helen Clark's charges against me. I have been a member of this House
since 1988. I have never been a scumbag politician and I don't intend to
become one when I exit this place."

Mr Creech, who is retiring from politics at the next election, said he had
not impugned anyone's integrity.

"One thing Helen Clark, [Labour deputy leader] Michael Cullen and others
can be absolutely sure of - I will not be cowed by her personal attacks on me.

"No abuse or attacks, no matter how vitriolic or bitter, will stop me
asking questions that I believe are valid."

Ms Clark told NZPA she had nothing to apologise for.