John Banks' media adviser has told the High Court in Auckland that during his failed bid for the Auckland mayoralty in 2010, the politician gave him a SkyCity envelope that he passed directly to the campaign treasurer.
John Banks. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Scott Campbell was giving evidence at the High Court in Auckland on Tuesday, where the ACT MP is on trial for filing a false electoral return. He denies the charge.
The Crown says inside the SkyCity envelope was a $15,000 donation which Mr Banks knew about, but later signed off as anonymous.
Mr Campbell said he was handed the envelope by Mr Banks after he had met with the SkyCity casino chief executive.
Mr Campbell said he was told to deliver it to Lance Hutchison, the campaign treasurer who was working in the town hall boardroom, which Mr Campbell said he did.
Banks described as man of integrity
John Banks' legal team concluded its case with former business colleagues, supporters and a former Police Commissioner telling the court that the MP for Epsom is honest.
Dame Jenny Gibbs is a past president of Family Planning, was on the founding board of Te Papa and is patron of the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra.
She said Mr Banks had to sleep under bridges as a young man. "I know at least one of his parents apparently was in prison and I've known him always as someone who was determined to overcome that and create an honourable life."
The court was told John Banks started working as a kitchen hand at Tony's Steakhouse. Patricia White, whose late husband Tony started the business, said Mr Banks worked his way up to business partner.
John Jamieson was Police Commissioner from 1989 to 1993, during some of that time Mr Banks was Minister of Police. He said he and Mr Banks operated on mutual trust.
Mr Banks' former deputy mayor described his old boss an honest man who worked hard.
David Hay is the managing director of Keith Hay homes and first met Mr Banks when the politician stood for the Mt Roskill seat for the National Party.
Mr Hay served as deputy mayor on the Auckland Council when Mr Banks was mayor. Mr Hay said he always felt that Mr Banks was there for the good of the city.
Richard Langridge, a friend and former campaign manager of Mr Banks, said the politician is honest and has helped a lot of people.
Mr Langridge said he donated to Mr Banks' mayoralty campaign because believed that he was the best man for the job.
"He's been always very public spirited, never been looking for anything out of these positions for himself and I know he's contributed to a lot of charities and helped a lot of people."
All the witnesses described Mr Banks as honest and a man of integrity.
Evidence in the trial has finished and Mr Banks is due back at the High Court on Thursday when his lawyer David Jones, QC, and Paul Dacre, QC, for the Crown will make their closing submissions.
