Seymour ‘fuels worst prejudices’

ACT leader David Seymour is under fire for a letter he sent to his wealthy constituents warning that new social housing could bring in people with ‘‘mental health issues’’.

But Seymour says he is just setting out ‘‘the facts of the matter’’ and the Government should try to fix issues instead of politicising them.

His letter to Epsom constituents concerns an application from Housing New Zealand to redevelop a block of land on Banff Ave, Auckland, and turn it into a five-storey, 25-unit block.

Seymour’s letter to residents, inviting them to a public meeting with Housing New Zealand last Wednesday, set out his concerns with the proposed development.

Most of this surrounded infrastructure, but for one line: ‘‘There is also a chance that some of the residents will have social and mental health issues who will need to have special support measures in place.’’

Housing Minister Phil Twyford said he was appalled with Seymour’s behaviour.

‘‘David Seymour is fuelling people’s worst prejudices,’’ Twyford said. ‘‘He was scaremongering by using such language in his invitation for locals to attend a public meeting with Housing NZ last week.

‘‘It is irresponsible for an MP, particularly a party leader, to be stigmatising those with mental health issues.’’

‘‘Anyone, from any community, can suffer from mental health issues. Whether you live in a 10-bedroom mansion or a state house is irrelevant.’’

Seymour said as a minister Twyford should be trying to fix issues not politicise his language.

‘‘I’m the representative from Parliament who has raised quite serious problems with the way that Housing New Zealand has behaved in my constituency. And rather than correct that problem he has sought to criticise the language I might use,’’ Seymour said.

He said while social housing had long had a place in Epsom, and he had even helped people into homes as a local MP, residents near Banff Ave experienced problems in the past.

‘‘I’d like to invite Phil Twyford to come to southern Epsom and speak to the residents and explain why it is that they have been subject to public urination, a woman grabbed while she was out for a run, people being constantly harassed and asked for money at the shopping centre,’’ Seymour said.

He said he didn’t have concrete data on whether there was more crime near the site – he doubted anyone would – but local businesses said there was.

‘‘These people’s concerns are driven by their actual experience not any speculation about who will be living in these homes.’’

Soon after talking to Stuff Seymour sent out a press release inviting Twyford to another meeting with residents, saying he would be happy to set one up.

National leader Simon Bridges said he wouldn’t use the same language Seymour had but he wasn’t going to ‘‘bag’’ him either.

‘‘There is also a chance that some of the residents will have social and mental health issues who will need to have special support measures in place.’’ ACT leader David Seymour in a letter to Epsom constituents