KEY POINTS:
The National MP for Northland, John Carter, has publicly apologised for swearing at a police officer after being pulled over for failing to indicate while driving.
Mr Carter, MP for Northland, was in Kaitaia last Friday night in a four-wheel-drive vehicle with his name on it when he
was pulled over.
The Herald has been told Mr Carter became aggressive and began swearing at the officer.
National Party leader John Key this morning told Breakfast on TV One that Mr Carter had agreed to apologise.
"The police force of New Zealand need and deserve respect and if you are getting a ticket for something you don't like, well tough luck, don't break the law, and if you are a member of my caucus don't go out there abusing the police officer or you will get me taking it up pretty seriously," he said.
Mr Carter has since released a press release saying he deeply regretted what he had done.
"I have offered a full and unreserved apology to the Northland police via their district commander. I am disappointed with my own conduct."
Mr Carter said his behaviour was inappropriate for an MP; "and I am sorry. I have immense respect for the job that the police do".
Last night, the MP admitted he did get angry when the officer suggested his vehicle was not registered.
"The angst came when he tried to tell me that the vehicle was unregistered," Mr Carter said.
"I just directed him to the front. I said something like, 'Look on the f***ing front window'."
Asked if he thought he was aggressive, Mr Carter said he did not want to talk any more about it. But he felt his behaviour was not appropriate for an MP and he regretted it.
"I respect the police for the job that they do," Mr Carter said. "I should have just pointed out to him that the car was registered."
Mr Key knew nothing of the incident when contacted last night by the Herald, but said he was disappointed to hear what had happened.
"I'm disappointed to hear about behaviour that I find inappropriate, and I'll be taking it up personally with him," he said.
It is not the first time Mr Key has had to speak to MPs who have stepped out of line.
Tauranga MP Bob Clarkson upset several of his colleagues when he suggested the Muliaga family should have paid their power bill before Folole Muliaga died.
Mr Key also had to contend with Jonathan Coleman's presence in a tobacco company's corporate box during a U2 concert, at which he smoked a cigar and allegedly blew smoke at a woman.
Last night, Mr Carter said he felt his $150 ticket for not indicating while crossing a road was justified.
The Herald has also been told Mr Carter tried to place the officer under citizen's arrest, but the Northland MP flatly denied this.
"I'm not big enough to do that."
This morning, Mr Key did not rule it, out saying the exchange was heated. "I think there was a exchange of words but I don't think there was a serious attempt to make a citizen's arrest.
- With NZPA
