News of the weird

Government in action

New Zealand House Speaker Trevor Mallard ejected National Leader Simon Bridges on May 7, claiming that Bridges’ conduct was inappropriate. “The member earlier made a barnyard noise,” Mallard said. Bridges objected, “I made no such noise and it is entirely unfair for you as a speaker to say that sort of unprofessional comment.” The New Zealand Herald reported that Bridges later said Mallard’s comments made him feel like a “naughty boy.” Inspection of video from the session revealed that Bridges had made a loud sound of disapproval after an answer given by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.