Helen Clark does not believe she has broken the Cabinet Manual over Peters

The Cabinet Manual states at all times Ministers are expected to behave in a way that upholds and is seen to uphold the highest ethical standards. Helen Clark has said that one of the very highest ethical standards that any Prime Minister should seek to uphold is the rule of law. That means going through proper process.

Therefore, Clark believes that she has not broken the rules of the Cabinet Manual in her dealings with Winston Peters, because Peters is going through a legal process which must be upheld.

But do you think it is acting in the highest ethical standard if you, on purpose, set up three different inquiries to prolong and draw out this process, publicly state you refuse to take part in that process, but instead hide behind it, instead of making an honourable decision?

Because that's what Helen Clark has done - and she says she is upholding the highest ethical standards after hiding what she knows from the public all year?

Remember this election is about trust.

(actually, with reference to the blog post heading, if the Cabinet Manual was a very thick book with brick covers perhaps I'd be quite happy for Clark to break it over Peters).