The Prime Minister is standing by Maurice Williamson, despite claims the Pakuranga MP contacted the ACT Party hoping to jump waka.
ACT leader David Seymour claims former National and ACT leader Don Brash yesterday approached the party board, saying Mr Williamson was interested in joining the party.
Mr Seymour says party president John Thompson followed up the suggestion before ultimately deciding against accepting Mr Williamson.
But Prime Minister John Key says Mr Williamson sent him a text message denying the incident took place.
"I accept his word, if that's what he's told me, that's what he's told me – I'm not going to do CSI Miami, I've got bigger things to worry about than becoming a super sleuth on this sort of stuff," he told reporters today.
Mr Key said he heard about the allegations from Mr Seymour during their "normal monthly catch-up", around a week ago.
"Maurice is a colourful character who's been around for a very long period of time, he's had his fair share of scrapes and bruises along the way but he's also made a good contribution."
Despite the controversy, Mr Key said he hadn't completely ruled out Mr Williamson returning to Cabinet one day.
"Never say never."
3 News
source: newshub archive
