Shearer defends allegations against Jones

Labour leader David Shearer maintains parallels can't be drawn between the drama surrounding MP Shane Jones and the donations scandal besetting ACT leader John Banks.

With Jones is under the spotlight for his links to accused immigration fraudster Bill Liu, David Shearer is being criticised for the attacks he's made on John Banks and his links to businessman Kim Dotcom.

Mr Shearer says the two cases are completely different.

He says for a start Mr Banks is under investigation, while Mr Jones has simply had an allegation made about him in court.

"As soon as I heard about the allegation I spoke to Shane, sat him down, asked him to go through all the documentation, asked him the hard questions and from his answers I'm satisfied that he had nothing else to answer for."

Mr Shearer says he sought assurances from the former Associate Immigration Minister over the processes he followed when he granted approval back in 2008.

"From what I have seen of the paperwork and what Shane has told me, he followed the process properly. He has no other pecuniary interest, (or) received any sort of gifts from Bill Liu, in fact he doesn't know Bill Liu."

Bill Liu, also known as Yong Ming Yan, is currently facing immigration fraud charges at the High Court in Auckland.

Photo: Shane Jones (NZ Herald)