Coffey, Warren-Clark refuse to weigh in on Labour Summer School allegations

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has criticised her party officials for their handling of the incident at the camp. PHOTO/ MARK MITCHELL

Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey and Papamoa-based Labour list MP Angie Warren-Clark are refusing to weigh in on a scandal centred on a Labour event where they were guest speakers last month.

Allegations emerged yesterday that four young Labour Party supporters were sexually assaulted by a unnamed 20-year-old man at the camp, held in Waihi, last month.

Two males and two females, all 16, were allegedly assaulted or harassed during a party at the Waihi camp, Newsroom has reported.

The man was reportedly intoxicated and put his hand down the pants of at least three of the four young people.

Coffey attended part of the camp, where he gave a speech on Maori development.

When contacted by the Rotorua Daily Post today, Coffey said he had no comment to make, and referred queries to Labour Party general secretary Andrew Kirton.

Warren-Clark, who is Labour's spokeswoman for Rotorua issues, also declined to comment.

Warren-Clark gave a speech about feminism at the event the day after the alleged incidents occurred.

She also referred requests for comment to Kirton.

It emerged today that Labour Cabinet Minister Megan Woods was informed of the incident by one of the alleged victims.

Woods said she had received a Facebook message on March 4 about the incident at last month's camp.

"She immediately called the party's general secretary [Andrew Kirton] and alerted him and asked him to contact the person," a spokesman said.

She then let the young person know that a party official would be in touch.

"Two hours later she heard from the general secretary that he had been in touch with the young person and the situation was being handled appropriately."

The spokesman said Woods was aware of the nature of the behaviour involved because the person who contacted her had informed her it related to sexual misconduct.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has criticised her party officials for their handling of the incident at the camp, which she spoke at.

Ardern told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking this morning: "The environment was not a safe one and that's something we have to fix.

"It shouldn't have happened, we should absolutely have made sure those people were looked after and that hasn't happened."

Ardern had spoken at the camp opening and said she did not see any sign of misbehaviour while she was there.