The Serious Fraud Office has denied leaking information about its investigation of Winston Peters to the National Party, contradicting allegations made by Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Acting SFO director Gib Beattie said, through a spokewoman:

“We do not believe that there has been any leak from the SFO and have received assurances to that end from all SFO personnel involved with the donations matter, and we do not intend to make further comment.”

Miss Clark made the allegations this morning on TVNZ’s Breakfast. She said she was sure that the SFO had tipped off National about its investigation before leader John Key ruled Winston Peters out of any post-election National government on Wednesday.

National leader John Key also denied his party had previous knowledge of the plans to investigate, which were announced on Thursday evening.

“Her claims today that the SFO told National it was going to investigate Winston Peters are simply false,” a statement from Mr Key said.

See also:

Clark believes SFO tipped off Nats