“Today there have been reports, in some sections of the media, which might have implied to some, that I may have allowed other extraneous factors, ie the party political membership of the applicant, to affect my views on this application.
“I totally reject any such implications. I regard them as baseless and scurrilous. A minister, when making decisions, cannot and should not investigate party affiliations of applicants, and I did not do so in this case. I do not know the applicant, have never met him, and know nothing about him.
“If anyone impugns my integrity in this matter I will be seeking legal advice and will act accordingly.”
Notes to Editors:
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