Accused New Zealand legislator goes into hiding

Jun 4, 2009, 4:37 GMT

   Wellington - Accusations of 'inappropriate sexual behaviour' Thursday swirled about a New Zealand legislator who resigned as a government minister hours before police revealed that they were investigating a woman's complaint about him.

   Richard Worth, a former lawyer who has been a member of parliament for 10 years, went into hiding Wednesday after resigning his post as minister of internal affairs, citing 'personal reasons.'

   Worth's whereabouts since his resignation are not known. Reporters said they had been unable to find him and he was not answering his phones. The prime minister's office said there had been no further contact with him.

   Police was investigating a complaint laid by a Korean businesswoman, and her allegation was 'of a sexual nature', the New Zealand Herald reported.

   Prime Minister John Key said that he would have sacked Worth if he had not resigned because his conduct 'did not befit a minister.'

   Key told reporters Wednesday that police were investigating a 'criminal matter' after a complaint about Worth but he would not elaborate.

   After news of Worth's resignation broke, Phil Goff, leader of the opposition Labour Party, revealed that another woman had reported receiving a series of pestering 'sleazy' emails and telephone calls over several months from Worth.

   Goff said Worth had made improper suggestions in offering the woman a number of different jobs 'with overtones that this was in pursuit of romantic ambitions.'

   Goff said he had raised the concerns of the woman, who is married with children, privately with the prime minister, who assured him the allegations were not correct.

   Key told reporters, 'I investigated them and there didn't appear to be any truth to them and I accepted Dr Worth's version of events.'

   Key said Worth, who is married with an adult daughter, had been given two weeks' leave from parliament to consider whether he should remain a member of the House of Representatives.