MediaWorks for sale: Mark Richardson blasts back at Winston Peters

The AM Show co-host Mark Richardson has blasted Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters for his comments following the announcement MediaWorks' TV arm is up for sale.

News of the sale broke on Friday and at the weekend Peters said of the employees: "Now I'm sorry for some of them because they deserve to stay. But for some of them - good riddance''.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern distanced herself from Peters' remarks this morning, saying she did not share his sentiments.

"It is up to each of us to have our own opinions and express them," she told reporters.

Ardern said that had nothing to do with Government policy and "so I leave opinions to members of Parliament to express themselves".

She said there was no Government position on MediaWorks' TV network sell-off.

Asked if Peters was wrong to make the comments, Ardern didn't directly answer.

"Opinions are expressed by members of Parliament all the time and it's matters for them."

But she did when it comes sale of the TV side of MediaWorks: her view was that this was a period of uncertainty for those staff.

"I wanted to acknowledge that - it is a really difficult time, but ultimately these are commercial decisions."

Earlier today Richardson, co-host of The AM Show, described Peters' comments as "heartless and classless'' revelling.

"As a sports person, I understand competition. I understand your adversaries' right to challenge you, to test you, to ask the hard question and from time to time to better you.

"I also learned to respect their skill, respect them, to shake hands and move on - to regroup and come back better myself for it,'' Richardson said.

"It would appear your politics lacks this basic human aspect.''

In an opinion piece published this morning, Richardson let loose on Peters, saying: "Very classy, Winston''.

"Yes, after hearing your comments, your heartless and classless revelling, Your Right Honourable Sir, I sort of thought, you know what, if this is the type of person I'd have to be to enjoy longevity in politics then I want no part of it," Richardson wrote.

Richardson acknowledged that Peters had pointed out there were "some'' good people employed at Three.

But he guessed that those few good people must not be the ones challenging Peters.

"[The ones] who don't do their jobs, the ones who you've been able to cowardly bully into submission with your constant threat of legal action when challenged.''

Richardson referred to the veteran politician as "Winnie'' and rebuked him for his comments.

"You know what, Winnie? Sorry - your right honourable good sir Mr Peters. I'd rather endure a Labour-Green Government governing alone than another minute of you holding my country selflishly to ransom.

"Yeah, that Red-Green lot have some hair-brained schemes, but at least for the most part they're good people. They're good people with a genuine cause and a desire to help others.

"I don't know if I could say the same about you''.

Peters twisted the knife over MediaWorks' sale of its television division, as he railed against the media in front of party members at NZ First's annual conference at the weekend.

Opening the event with a speech that also criticised the National Party at length, and bragged about stopping plans for a capital gains tax, Peters took a dig at the media, saying it had written his party off in the past.

"It was announced yesterday certain sections of them are going and are they shocked?" he said to a cheer from some in the crowd and an "aw" from others.

"Now I'm sorry for some of them because they deserve to stay, but for some of them: good riddance."

Afterwards, Peters denied making light of the situation, but agreed when he was asked whether he thought it was good some people could lose their jobs.

"All I'm saying is that when you are in the position of MediaWorks, maybe you should have had a better understand of the economic environment in which you're operating," Peters told reporters.

"There are some superb people who work for MediaWorks but I won't tell you who they are."