Labour president unlikely to be censured over denial

RADIO NEW ZEALAND: The Labour party president looks set to escape censure despite being caught misleading the media.

Mike Williams was asked on TVNZ's Agenda programme about his response to a suggestion from the floor at Labour's Congress earlier this month, that Government pamphlets should be used during electioneering.

He denied saying at the time that using the leaflets would be "a damn good idea".

But TVNZ last night broadcast an audio recording showing Mr Williams used those exact words.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister says the comment was an off-the-cuff response to an off-the-cuff suggestion, and she has dealt with the matter decisively by saying the use of the leaflets would not happen.

Radio New Zealand's political staff say Labour is blaming the row on a combination of confusion and looseness, but there is no expectation that Mr Williams will face censure.

Mike Williams has been unavailable for comment.