PM backs 'westie' Bennett

Prime Minister John Key has expressed "full confidence" in Social Development Minister Paula Bennett after it was revealed a violent street gang member was bailed to her house while he awaited trial.

The Herald on Sunday reported today Viliami Halaholo, the partner of Ms Bennett's daughter Ana, and father of her child, was bailed to Ms Bennett's west Auckland address for 10 months, up to July 2007, while awaiting trial on charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Halaholo, whom the newspaper said was a member of the Thugs of Canal street gang, was sentenced four months later to 4½ years jail.

Ms Bennett was an opposition MP at the time.

The newspaper suggested the relationship with Halaholo presented a security risk as Ms Bennett could be subjected to undue influence by Halaholo or his fellow gang members.

But a spokesman for Mr Key today said he had "full confidence" in Ms Bennett and ministers' and MPs' private lives should remain private.

A spokesman for Ms Bennett said it was a "family issue".

It is the second time the self-described "westie" has hit the headlines in a week.

Just over a week ago she broke up a fight between a group of girls that was threatening to spiral into a brawl at a Henderson mall.

-NZPA