If you think that the Berger 'scandal' is a little overblown, check out this tempest in a teapot from New Zealand:
Helen Clark has raised the prospect of a prime ministerial aircraft after the furore about her motorcade.She has been under fire since a cancelled flight prompted Saturday's motorcade dash from Waimate to Christchurch airport.
Police are investigating a complaint about the speed of the motorcade, estimated at having averaged as much as 147km/h.
....
Helen Clark said she had no fears for the safety of others as her motorcade sped from to Christchurch so she could fly to Wellington for the Bledisloe Cup rugby test.
The convoy -- two police cars and a ministerial limousine -- travelled 209km in less than two hours.
Discussing the issue during an engagement in Levin yesterday, Miss Clark described herself as "the meat in the sandwich" and said she would not interfere in a police investigation into the matter.
She said she was working in the back seat and did not look at the speedometer.
"I didn't give any instructions to drive fast," Miss Clark said.
Asked whether she feared for her safety or the safety of others, Miss Clark replied that she had not.
She said she attended the rugby match out of "public duty" and would not have gone if she were not prime minister.
Beehive sources tried to turn the focus on National leader Don Brash, saying his crown car also travelled to the rugby test on Saturday night at high speed accompanied by police on motorbikes.
Dr Brash's spokesman told NZPA yesterday the Beehive was "spinning lies".
It was absurd to compare a short trip by Dr Brash with the long dash through Canterbury by the prime minister, he said.
There were reports today that Dr Brash was in a motorcade which ran red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said Dr Brash should have walked to the test in the rain like other people.
"We can understand why the Prime Minister might travel in a motorcade but someone in Don Brash's position should have called a taxi, caught a bus or walked to the stadium," he said.
"We in New Zealand First are happy to rough it with ordinary Kiwis even if that means a walk in the rain because, after all, rugby is a winter game."
nb: Divide by 1.609 to get the speed/distance in miles
Posted by robe0419 at July 22, 2004 8:10 AM