New Whaitiri assault claims in the House
Further allegations of assault have been flung at Labour’s Meka Whaitiri during a parliamentary debate.
National’s Amy Adams said the Government hadn’t been straight with the public about the alleged incident involving her press secretary.
‘‘The public of New Zealand deserves to know if we have a member laying hands on a staff member to the extent that they end up with bruising . . . you do not go around laying hands on people to the extent that it leaves bruising,’’ she said.
Adams used parliamentary privilege – a legal immunity – to level the allegations.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern fired Whaitiri last week, after seeing a Department of Internal Affairs report into an incident in Gisborne in August.
Neither party has confirmed what happened but allegations of shoving have circulated.
Ardern said a cut-down version of the investigation would be released.
Speaker Trevor Mallard granted an urgent parliamentary debate into Whaitiri’s removal yesterday afternoon, shortly after the MP’s return.
Adams said that would be ‘‘sanitised’’ and the Government hadn’t been upfront about what happened. She also questioned why Whaitiri was fit to remain as an MP.
‘‘We have heard no apology to the staff member . . . it’s all been about what’s fair to Meka Whaitiri. What about that staff member who we now know has been left bruised?’’
The Selwyn MP said it made Labour’s commitments to openness and transparency an ‘‘utter joke’’.
‘‘This is one of the least transparent Government’s New Zealand has ever seen.’’
She added: ‘‘We are seeing dodging, weaving, ducking.’’
Kelvin Davis, Labour’s deputy leader, responded by saying Ardern had acted ‘‘decisively and immediately’’ in setting up an independent investigation, and then removing the MP within 24 hours of receiving the findings.
Davis said that natural justice must apply to Whaitiri.
‘‘That investigation came up with its finding, some elements are disputed, some are not.’’
NZ First MP Ron Mark said Adams’ allegations were ‘‘rich’’ and ‘‘bizarre’’.