Nick Smith

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - A Nelson man allegedly tried to buy a firearm to shoot Cabinet Minister Nick Smith yesterday before a threat forced Dr Smith to close his Nelson office.

Dr Smith, also MP for Nelson, was not at his office yesterday when police and the diplomatic protection squad dealt with the threat.

Senior Sergeant John Price of Waimea police said police were investigating an incident involving an allegation of a threat against Dr Smith, the Nelson Mail reported.

Dr Smith was told a man attempted to obtain a firearm and said he was going to use it to shoot Dr Smith.

When the man was refused there was an incident involving a knife and the police were called.

The diplomatic protection squad had been "escorting" Dr Smith since the alleged threat.

The man who made the threat was believed to have been involved with mental health services and was known to police.