An eye witness account of the $25,000 donation

Radio NZ has talked to Professor Malcolm Wright who worked for Sir Robert in 2005. They report:

Professor Malcolm Wright, who worked for Sir Robert three years ago, says he recalls Mr Peters and a staff member visiting Sir Robert for drinks in 2005, where the issue of a donation was discussed.

“Sir Robert was opposed to making a donation. In the end, though, he agreed that he would. There had been a higher sum asked for, and Sir Robert said: ‘Well, I’ll give you $25,000 for mateship’, which Winston agreed to, and they shook hands on that.”

Professor Wright says he was told some days later by one of Mr Peters’ staff members to make a cheque out to a trust, although he cannot recall its name. He says Sir Robert thought the money was going to New Zealand First.

Now it is worth remembering that Professor Wright was a first hand witness to this. Peters has made it clear he is going to attack Jones’ credibility and recall. But Professor Wright seems very clear on the salient details.