completed.

Ms Pullar is the former National Party activist who was accidentally sent information about 6700 other ACC claimants, including data which identified some as making "sensitive claims" for injuries resulting from rape or other forms of sexual assault.

It has emerged that following an approach she made to an ACC board member, she had a December meeting with two senior managers at which, ACC alleges, she threatened to go public about the breach of privacy unless she received a guaranteed two year benefit. Her support person at that meeting was former National Party president Michelle Boag.

Ms Pullar has denied ACC's allegations and the matter is now being investigated by the police.

Following Mr Peters' statement in Parliament, Dr Smith refused to comment on speculation about his past relationship with MsPullar. "I'm just not commenting on my private life," he said.

He initially indicated to the Herald that the letter he wrote in July last year in which he vouched for Ms Pullar's capabilities before a 2002 bicycle accident which left her with head injuries was on plain paper suggesting it was written in a personal capacity.

But yesterday he said he'd obtained a copy of the letter and it was written on ministerial letterhead.

Dr Smith said he did not seek to influence any ACC staff member in relation to the case but accepted that anyone reading the letter would be mindful of his role as ACC Minister and may have been influenced by it for that reason.

Mr Key has accepted Dr Smith's apology for his behaviour and continues to