Liu changes story about Labour donations
Businessman Donghua Liu says now says he made close to $100,000 in total payments to Labour and its MPs
Businessman Donghua Liu says now says he made close to $100,000 in total payments to Labour and its MPs
Businessman Donghua Liu now says he has given close to $100,000 in total donations to Labour and its MPs.
Earlier reports by the New Zealand Herald said the Chinese immigrant, who Labour gave permanent residency to against official advice, spent more than $150,000 on the previous Labour government, including $100,000 on a bottle of wine signed by then prime minister Helen Clark at a party fundraiser.
But, in another statement to the NZ Herald made today, the businessman says the money was not for one bottle of wine and included anonymous donations.
He says the payments included about $60,000 on a Yangtze River cruise, on which he says ex-internal affairs minister Rick Barker was a guest.
Last week, Labour leader David Cunliffe faced controversy after he said he had never met or advocated for Mr Liu.
Just a day later, an 11-year-old letter emerged that Mr Cunliffe had written in support of the controversial millionaire's residency application.
After the letter came to light, Prime Minister John Key said he would be "very, very amazed" if details of a larger donation did not emerge.