ACT AIDE NAMED IN NEW DOPE INCIDENT

Police have received another complaint about a press secretary smoking
marijuana at Parliament, this time involving an Act party aide, Andy
Gregory.

A security guard is understood to have been alerted by smoke coming from
toilets in Bowen House, where he found Mr Gregory, a temporary media aide.

Act leader Richard Prebble confirmed last night that Mr Gregory was no
longer working for Act but said the parting had been amicable.

Mr Gregory said there had been a "misunderstanding."

The incident is the second of its type reported to the police within three
months.

An Alliance press secretary, Steve Collett, and journalist Alastair
Thompson were accused of smoking marijuana in the House on the night of the
Press Gallery Christmas party.

Act MPs led the charge then, with Mr Prebble naming Mr Collett in
Parliament.

The Speaker, Jonathan Hunt, declared the accusations "unproven."

Parliament's general manager, John O'Sullivan, last night confirmed the
second incident.

He said it had been reported to the police. "Whether or not there is
anything to substantiate it will be over to them to determine."

Mr Gregory was asked last night if it was true he had been caught smoking
marijuana by security guards last Wednesday and had resigned.

He said: "I'm afraid that's a complete misunderstanding of the situation
and I'm not able to say anything more."

Asked if he had been wrongly accused, he said: "That's all I'm going to
say."

Mr Gregory, a former radio journalist, was a foundation Act member.

Mr Prebble said last night: "As far as I'm concerned, Mr Gregory came to
work for us on a short-term contract. We've been happy with his work and
we've parted on amicable terms."