From the lofty highs of an unsanctioned camel ride National's
Richard Worth has fallen into the midst of a police
investigation which has seen him resign from his ministerial
portfolios.
Dr Worth first entered Parliament as the MP for Epsom in
1999. He won the seat again in 2002 but was toppled by Rodney
Hide in 2005 and returned as a list MP.
Dr Worth stood again in the Epsom electorate last year but
did not make any real effort on the campaign - though both
ACT and National denied making a deal to see Mr Hide safely
win the seat.
Over the last 10 years Dr Worth has been a declining force in
the National Party.
When he entered for National in 1999 he was a top lawyer, a
partner and later chairman for Simpson Grierson, with
experience in international affairs and business and a PhD
from RMIT University in Melbourne.
He was the Consul for Columbia for six years and Monaco for
eight. In addition, he is a former president of the Hong Kong
New Zealand Business Association and former chairman of the
India Trade Group and Korea New Zealand Business Council.
Dr Worth, a former navy captain, was appointed an Officer of
the British Empire (Military Division) and made a knight in
the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem for his work with
the order.
He was understood to have been promised the Speaker's job if
National won in 2005. They lost. In 2008 he was appointed as
a minister outside Cabinet.
Until today he was Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister for
Land Information, Minister Responsible for the National
Library and Archives New Zealand and Associate Minister of
Justice.
In 2002, Dr Worth garnered attention when he chose to take a
camel ride, visit the pyramids, and shop at a market rather
then attend a service to honour the Maori Battalion during an
official trip to Egypt.
Soon after he returned to New Zealand he quit as a director
of Prada America's Cup (NZ) Limited because of suggestions it
was disloyal for an MP to be linked to a challenging
syndicate.
He said at the time he became a Prada board member before the
previous Cup, when he was not an MP.
More recently Dr Worth was in trouble after he went to India
on a private visit and promoted an aviation company in which
he held shares and a directorship.
He resigned the directorship and sold the shares.
It was also reported that a company Dr Worth held shares in
had links with another company which was investigated by the
Serious Fraud Office.
Despite Labour's calls for him to be fired, Prime Minister
John Key stood by him - until now.
Dr Worth and his wife, Lynne, have one adult daughter.
His profile on the National Party website lists his hobbies
as mountain climbing, Bollywood films, Korean classical music
and the early works of Sun Tzu.
He may have more time for these pursuits without his
ministerial responsibilities and with his future as an MP in
doubt.
Timeline of Richard Worth's political
career:
November 1999 -- Elected MP for Epsom in general election,
retains the seat in 2002.
October 2002 -- On an official trip to Egypt, skips a Maori
Battalion service to instead go to Cairo, visit the pyramids
and take a camel ride.
September 2005 -- Loses Epsom to ACT leader Rodney Hide,
returns to Parliament as a list MP.
November 2008 -- National gains power, Worth again returned
as a list MP.
November 2008 -- Appointed a minister outside cabinet holding
portfolios of internal affairs and land information. Also
associate minister of justice. Ranked 22nd in executive list
of 23 ministers.
March 2009 -- Reports published about private visit to India
during which he promoted aviation training in New Zealand
while having an interest in an air training academy in
Invercargill.
March 2009 -- Prime Minister John Key tells press conference
he gave Worth "a bollocking" over conflict of interest and
failing to tell him about business interests.
April 2009 -- Worth apologises to Key but says he has done
nothing wrong.
April 2009 -- Labour attacks Worth in Parliament, demands
resignation. Worth continues to insist he has done nothing
wrong.
April 2009 -- More problems when Worth visits taxi driver
allegedly attacked by members of a group that included the
son of an acquaintance, Labour again calls for resignation on
the grounds of conflict of interest.
May 2009 -- Worth refuses to answer questions from Labour MP
Chris Hipkins about his activities, saying they are a waste
of time. Key says he will consider the situation.
June 3 2009 -- Worth announces his resignation as a minister,
citing personal reasons. Key accepts resignation, says
"private matters" are involved.
Police issue statement saying an allegation has been made
against an MP and a preliminary investigation has started.
