PM must accept Tamihere's resignation

ACT Leader Rodney Hide said today that Prime Minister Helen Clark has no option but to accept John Tamihere's resignation from the Labour Party.

The Herald on Sunday has revealed that John Tamihere also declared in his interview with Ian Wishart that he's "sick of hearing how many Jews got gassed".

"To say you are sick of hearing about the genocide of six million people is just one step below saying it never happened. It's a statement that holocaust deniers in Europe would take comfort from," Mr Hide said.

"John Tamihere's statement is very corrosive and sets the scene for a slow slide into downplaying and forgetting about the systematic murder of six million people".

The recent desecration of Wellington Jewish cemeteries caused an international outcry.

"John Tamihere's comments will damage New Zealand's reputation further. Helen Clark must demand his resignation. It is not enough for her to say that she's sure he meant no offence.

"She has to accept John Tamihere's resignation. There's no place for his sentiment in our Parliament or in the Labour Party," Mr Hide said.

ENDS

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