Winston Peters Cleared.

Finally, I am glad this shambles has finally come to an end
(for the most part)

No Fraud was commited.

Now finally can the Media and certain witch-hunting politicians get back on with some "real" work and lets see NZ First's position be boosted by this farce.

From the NZ Herald...

Winston Peters will not be reinstated as Minister of Foreign Affairs despite his party being cleared of fraud by the Serious Fraud Office.

The SFO finished its investigation yesterday, but raised questions about a new cash gift Mr Peters should have declared and gave information it uncovered to the police, the Auditor-General and the Electoral Commission.

The Prime Minister said though she was pleased New Zealand First had been cleared of fraud, matters relating to its donations controversy were still with other authorities.

She would continue as acting minister for Mr Peters' portfolios.

"We are all seeking a fresh mandate at the general election," Helen Clark said.

Mr Peters refused to answer directly when asked if he believed he should be reinstated, saying he wanted to get on with the campaign.

He has been suspended as a minister since the SFO said on August 28 that it was beginning an investigation.

He was told the office's decision as he was about to make an election campaign speech to 30 elderly people at the Accadia Manor rest home estate in Tauranga.

Mr Peters announced it immediately to them, saying: "The SFO has absolutely done its chips. They've got nothing."

The clearance came on the eve of the campaign launches for Labour and National and as two polls showed the gap between the two parties closing, raising the possibility of NZ First again being the king-maker.

Mr Peters said it was "very good timing", then attacked National leader John Key, who ruled NZ First out as a coalition partner just before the SFO began its investigation.

www.nzfirst.org.nz - winstonpeters.com