Luigi Wewege denies relationship with Chuang

Luigi Wewege, Bevan Chuang and John Palino are shown in this July file photo.
Luigi Wewege, Bevan Chuang and John Palino are shown in this July file photo.
One of the key players in the Len Brown sex scandal, Luigi Wewege, has spoken about his role in how the story broke to the public.

In an email sent to media this morning, he denied having a relationship with Mr Brown's former mistress Bevan Chuang, and said he stood by his actions in passing on information about her affair with the Auckland mayor.

Ms Chuang last night told TVNZ's Sunday programme revelations about the affair were used by mayoral candidate John Palino in a political campaign against Mr Brown - an accusation Mr Palino has denied.

Today, Mr Wewege, who worked for Mr Palino, said he wanted to "clarify" his position in the scandal.

He said Ms Chuang told him "out of her own free will" that she had been propositioned by the mayor.

"I did not know her motives for this revelation at the time. I did not believe her story and therefore I asked her to provide proof.

"I passed this information on to whom I believed to be appropriate at the time."

He denied knowing the extent of Ms Chuang's allegations against Mr Brown after the story broke on a blog run by Cameron Slater.

"I did not send any photos to Stephen Cook to coerce any story from Bevan Chuang nor did I know of any claimed X-Rated venture," he said.

He also denied a claim by Ms Chuang the pair were involved romantically.

"I can appreciate Bevan Chuang trying to rehabilitate her image however I was never in a relationship with her."

Mr Wewege apologised for "what some have viewed as an inappropriate lapse of time for a response".

"I did not see an immediate need to discuss claims made by the media after the story went public as it was post-election and I was already transitioning into the next phase of my career.

"As for the personal attacks on my character I work hard on causes that I truly believe in, like any other political volunteer on a campaign and I stand by my decision to pass on information of what became known as Mayor Len Brown's two year affair."

Mr Wewege said he had been "absolutely appalled" by the lack of fact reported.

On the Sunday programme, Ms Chuang said it was a "story of at least five men and a woman. And none of them came to my rescue when I needed them ... and all of them wanted something."

She said she had apologised to Mr Brown and his family.

- Rebecca Quilliam of APNZ

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