United Future backs Greens over ejected journalist
Media statement
For immediate release
Wednesday, 28
March 2007
United Future backs Greens over ejected journalist
United Future leader Peter Dunne says he supports Green Party police spokesperson Keith Locke who is asking the Police to admit responsibility for wrongly stopping an accredited parliamentary press gallery journalist from doing his job at a media event in the Beehive.
Wellington-based journalist Nick Wang, a press gallery veteran of nine years standing, was barred entry to a photo opportunity between deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen and Chinese vice-premier Zeng Peiyan.
"I am aware that it is unusual for United Future and the Greens to agree on much, but in this matter Mr Locke is right.
"If the police took orders from Chinese officials to eject Mr Wang, then that's disgraceful. If they took it upon themselves to withdraw Mr Wang's accreditation and then eject him, then it's even more disgraceful.
"The Speaker of the House is in charge of accreditation and I join Mr Locke in calling on the police to explain their actions and to apologise to the Speaker, to Parliament and to Mr Wang for their wrongful actions," said Mr Dunne.
ENDS