I'm sure Helen didn't influence Margaret...

National was last night furious Ms Wilson declined to send Mr Field to the privileges committee, but could not say whether it would ask other committees to investigate.

Ms Wilson said the allegations against Mr Field, including claims a Thai overstayer tiled for free a house he was building in Samoa while Mr Field helped him get a work visa, were not matters of privilege.

National leader Don Brash asked Ms Wilson to send Mr Field to the privileges committee after the Noel Ingram inquiry left unanswered questions.

Dr Ingram found Mr Field had no conflict of interest in his dealings with the tiler, Sunan Siriwan, though he made errors of judgment. He could not rule on other allegations about Thai overstayers working for Mr Field for free or little pay while he helped with their immigration because key witnesses would not co-operate. Ms Wilson said the privileges committee could not investigate as its powers were limited to an MP's conduct in the House.

If you want to be a borderline taxpayer funded criminal - join a Labour administration with a wafer thin majority - there nobody can touch you.

But why, pray tell me why, can't the Nats make the mud stick? Shipley was rolled for a dinner party with a non contributing high achieving New Zealander.