Winston costing taxpayers more money

Stuff reports:

The Government will pony up to cover the legal fees of the former ministers sued by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters over the leak of his superannuation details.

Documents released to Stuff under the Official Information Act show Cabinet agreed in February to cover the initial legal costs incurred by the former National Party ministers sued by Peters.

A correct and expected decision.

This was estimated to be about $20,000 – but National says its MPs have paid back $10,000 of this after winning it back off Peters.

Peters first attempt at a law suit was so farcical (it was a fantastic conspiracy theory with no evidence) that he dropped it, and hence had to pay costs.

Taxpayers could also be on the hook for any damages incurred and further legal costs, although this decision has yet to be made.

He is also suing the State Services Commissioner and the head of MSD so taxpayers are definitely paying.