“…Prime Minister John Key is dismissing calls to stand down ACT leader John Banks from the Cabinet over questions about a $50,000 donation from German billionaire Kim Dotcom.
Mr Key said it was “solely a matter for the police” and he had received an assurance from Mr Banks that he acted within the law.
The Dotcom camp has alleged that Mr Banks knew about the $50,000 donation to his 2010 campaign for the Auckland mayoralty and phoned to thank Dotcom personally –
- despite listing it on his 2010 mayoral return as two anonymous donations of $25,000 each.
Labour leader David Shearer said that, until Mr Banks was prepared to give an assurance that he did not knowingly conceal the donation – Mr Key had no choice but to stand him down from the Cabinet.
Mr Banks says he cannot remember whether he discussed the donation with Dotcom, who is on bail and facing extradition proceedings over piracy claims lodged by United States authorities.
But Mr Key said he asked Mr Banks if he had acted within the law – and received an assurance that he had…”
(cont..)
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