Bridges calls for action on ‘racist’ Jones

National Party leader Simon Bridges is pushing the prime minister to further reprimand Shane Jones for ‘‘racist’’ comments about Indian students.

Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon has joined Bridges in condemning Jones’ remarks, saying such racist and ignorant statements were harming the Indian community.

But while Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has publicly denounced the NZ First MP for his remarks, she will not be drawn on whether they’re racist or require further action.

Put it down to an election year, Ardern effectively said yesterday, shortly after speaking with Jones about the comments. ‘‘He does face consequences, but here you’re asking me to take an action where a member of another political party stands in direct opposition of a view I hold.’’

In an interview on Newshub Nation on Saturday, Jones said unfettered immigration from ‘‘New Delhi’’ had ruined ‘‘many academic institutions’’.

Ardern, who called the comments ‘‘patently wrong’’, said people would understand that differences between political parties emerge during an election year. ‘‘I do feel a responsibility as the leader of New Zealand to say that I believe that his comments were not only wrong, but bad for New Zealand.’’

National Party leader Simon Bridges said it was not good enough for the prime minister to just be ‘‘tut-tutting’’ Jones.

Foon said yesterday that Indian students did not deserve to be vilified for seeking education in a safe country.