PM stands by claim of boorish behaviour

Judith Collins

Prime Minister Helen Clark says she will not be apologising to National MP Judith Collins after accusing her of "boorish" behaviour at a powhiri.

Ms Collins is disputing claims she was rebuked at the powhiri in Auckland on Friday for rudeness rather than for sitting in the front row.

She and two other National MPs walked out of the ceremony and subsequent select committee at the Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice North Centre in Manurewa, after a kaumatua scolded her.

Miss Collins says she walked out because she resented being told off for not sitting at the back, but Helen Clark said she had heard different reports.

"There was no objection to the women sitting in the front row, I am advised the objection was to the boorish behaviour exhibited."

Helen Clark said the National MP had acted in an insulting way and seemed to want to make an issue out of a non-event.

"The Government protocol is women can sit in the front row when being received at state facilities ... to reflect the values of the Government and of New Zealand in general," Helen Clark said.

Ms Collins said the Prime Minister had been lied to about events and was now repeating the lie.

She said she would be writing to her to ask for an apology.

Helen Clark said she would not be replying to the letter and said she had received reports from MPs and officials.

"The National Party is on their own in their interpretation of these events."

The Prime Minister said Ministry of Social Development staff had written to Ms Collins apologising for any offence, because it was thought she had been rebuked for sitting at the front, not her behaviour.

Ms Collins said yesterday that she had been advised by select committee staff there would be no powhiri.

Labour MP and social services select committee chairwoman Georgina Beyer said yesterday that she had agreed to the powhiri during lunch at the youth centre, despite previous plans that there would be none. The residents of the youth centre wanted to give one and she agreed out of courtesy.

Helen Clark said Ms Collins got her "nose out of joint" because she had decided to view the powhiri as an imposition.

Labour MPs had told her Ms Collins was "spoiling for a fight all day and looking for an opportunity to create an incident."

- NZPA