John Tamihere humiliates PM

Tuesday 12 Apr 2005
Rodney Hide
Press Releases -- Other

ACT Leader Rodney Hide today said that John Tamihere has trampled all over the Prime Minister and the Labour Party.

"Helen Clark by accepting his apology has shown that she's prepared to pay any price to keep John Tamihere in the Labour tent.

"John Tamihere has trashed the Labour Party, dumped on ministers, offended the Jewish community, publicly defined what his apology will be, defied the Prime Minister's instruction not to turn up to caucus, and still refuses to retract his comments.

"His apology to caucus is a Clayton's one. The Prime Minister fears that having John Tamihere out on his own, giving us more insights into Labour, would ultimately damage her more.

"What we've learned from Helen Clark is that we get the opposite of what she says. She promised new standards in government but she has delivered no standards.

"John Tamihere has shown that any behaviour is acceptable to Prime Minister Helen Clark.

"She will do whatever it takes to keep a tight grip on power and to hell with any standards, principles, philosophy or decency," said Mr Hide.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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