For Immediate Release

TVNZ Blasted Over Sword Attack

Auckland Council candidate, David Rankin, who was with former National Party leader Don Brash when confronted by a sword-wielding man apparently on 'P' at a campaign launch yesterday, has lashed out at TVNZ's repsonse to the event.

TVNZ sent two reporters and a cameraman to the launch. When the alleged offender got out of his car and approached the group with a sword, ranting and raving, the journalists said "let's get out of her" and fled immediately.

Mr Rankin says his greatest concern was that the deranged man had a large sword and was dragging his young son around with him. "It was a highly dangerous situation, especially for that poor boy".

TVNZ's head of news, John Gillespie, responded today in a written statement, saying:

"Our team never felt in danger and nor were they concerned about the safety of anyone else. They saw no necessity at the time to call Police."

Mr Rankin describes this as unbelievable. "How could a drugged up man with a huge sword yelling and cursing at people and dragging around a young child not be construed as dangerous?" He asks. "If it was not dangerous, can Mr. Gillespie explain why the Police thought otherwise and pursued the man?"

"If this is how Mr Gillespie assesses events and crimes in the community, it is surprising that he is let anywhere near a newsroom", says Mr Rankin. "I would love to see him look that terrified young boy in the eyes and tell him there is no danger as the boy's father worked himself up into a drug-fuelled frenzy with a weapon in his hand."

It was a person invited by Mr Rankin to attend the launch who called the Police. Mr Rankin says TVNZ's reporters acted as cowards, and they are an embarrassment to the profession.

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