Business apology to Green MP

A business association head who called Green MP Keith Locke a Luddite and refused to invite him to a political debate has backed down and apologised.

Newmarket Business Association general manager Cameron Brewer, former press secretary to Act leader Rodney Hide and former Auckland Mayor John Banks, said calling Mr Locke "comrade" in an email and the Green Party a "wolf in sheep's clothing" was not meant to offend and he was sorry if Mr Locke was hurt.

"The comments were a bit of light-hearted political sparring," he said.

"But since Mr Locke has been squealing, then if he wants to come along, we take that as a compliment."

The association is holding a candidates debate next week for hopefuls in the Epsom electorate race but Mr Brewer told Mr Locke in the email that only the three "front-runners" - Mr Hide, National MP Richard Worth and Labour's Stuart Nash - were invited.

He wished Mr Locke "well on your crusade, comrade" but added that Newmarket business people didn't want "liberalisation of drugs and we don't want you in Newmarket peddling such dangerous arguments".

Mr Locke said Mr Brewer had over-stepped the mark and plenty of Newmarket business people wanted to hear his views.