Sam Uffindell

Sam Uffindell, the new MP for Tauranga, features in a fair article (The Timaru Herald, August 10).

He has admitted that he had been a ‘‘thug’’ when aged 16, he and friends may have used bed legs to attack a 13-year-old boy at the end of a term at King’s College, Auckland. The boy was left bruised and traumatised.

It has taken many years for Uffindell to apologise to his victim. Uffindell was invited to leave the school, whose motto translates, ‘‘Character Prevails’’. He then moved to St Paul’s Collegiate, whose motto is ‘‘Stand Firm in the faith’’. Uffindell then attended the University of Otago whose motto is, ‘‘Dare to be wise’’.

He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and later earned a Master of Law and International Relations from the University of New South Wales, whose motto is, ‘‘Knowledge by heart, hand and mind’’.

Sadly, Uffindell is now suspended from the National caucus for more allegations to be investigated by a Queen’s Counsel.

It is a shame this promising young man did not lay out his personal history at the by-election, as did the ACT candidate, who confirmed a drink-driving conviction.

The mottos of the institutions Uffindell attended seem to have passed him by. Given he has managed to eclipse an excellent speech by his leader Christopher Luxon and a poll which shows National and ACT able at present to form a Government if elected, Uffindell may well be best to resign.

Admitting to being a young ‘‘thug’’ is a shadow that unfortunately will remain with him, in what may be his brief political career. National have to get selection procedures sorted. Ian Hanley

Timaru