Mr Little said Mr English had known about the recording 18 months ago but had never acknowledged this in media interviews and had stood aside while Mr Barclay denied its existence. Mr Peters went further, saying Mr English and former prime minister John Key had been complicit in hiding illegal activity. Mr Barclay refused to be interviewed by police during the investigation last year, after taking legal advice. While Mr English told police about the recording, he did not know whether Mr Barclay was in the room when it was made - a crucial factor in whether Mr Barclay committed an illegal act. She had advised Mr Barclay over the past few days, but would not say whether she told him to resign.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 21, 2017 20:15 UTC