Fed: PM says he doesn't feel let down by Reith

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Fed: PM says he doesn't feel let down by Reith

CANBERRA, Feb 14 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today said he did not feel let downby former defence minister Peter Reith over false claims that asylum seekers threw childreninto the sea.

"No, I don't," Mr Howard told Sydney radio 2UE when asked if he felt let down.

Yesterday Mr Howard released a report which found Mr Reith knew a month before theelection that claims asylum seekers threw their children overboard were untrue, but thathe failed to tell the public.

Mr Howard said all statements made by ministers were based on straight advice fromofficials and there was no cover-up.

"At no stage did my department or any other official tell me that that original advicewas wrong," he said.

Mr Howard said the events at the time were fast moving and the circumstances difficult,and he would not criticise defence officials over the matter.

Mr Reith has blamed bungling by defence bureaucrats for the government's failure tocorrect false claims.

Mr Howard deflected questions about Mr Reith's involvement in the issue.

"As to what passed between Mr Reith's department and his office and Mr Reith and hisstaff is something that really in fairness to him, he should answer," Mr Howard said.

When asked if Mr Reith would be sacked if he was still a minister, Mr Howard said hewould not answer such a hypothetical question and he always had a strong regard for theformer frontbencher.

Mr Howard said Labor could not live with its election loss and Australians had votedin the government because of a number of issues, not simply its approach to border protection.

AAP lm/sp

KEYWORD: BOAT HOWARD