The man at the centre of a disputed contract for laboratory tests in Auckland is suing outgoing Prime Minister Helen Clark for defamation.
Dr Tony Bierre is an Auckland pathologist and a former member of the Auckland District Health Board.
He is also the former chief executive of Lab Tests Auckland Ltd, which won the laboratory testing contract with the board.
The contract was later overturned by a judicial review, but has been reinstated on appeal. The contract was worth $560 million over eight years.
Dr Bierre says Miss Clark made untrue allegations of criminal conduct against him in March and these have damaged his reputation.
He says he is not seeking money from Miss Clark, just an apology.
