KEY POINTS:
The Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union says it is shocked by claims a TVNZ security guard was sacked for criticising the comments of Christine Rankin.
Louis Rawnsley has worked as a security guard for the state broadcaster for 24 years. He says he was dismissed after telling Ms Rankin her comments on TV One's Breakfast show about Maori and child abuse were "over the top".
Mrs Rankin was asked on Breakfast, who was abusing children.
"Maori. I'm afraid to say," Mrs Rankin replied.
She said because there are Maori members in parliament, "it is time for them to admit it. If they don't want someone else to do it, do it themselves," she said.
"We've got to face some issues in this country. We have got a problem with Maori," Mrs Rankin said.
After the interview viewers were invited to contact the show with their views.
Christine Rankin declined to comment on the security guard's claims.
EPMU secretary Andrew Little is following the matter up with TVNZ. He says if it is correct, there has been an almighty overreaction. He says something is seriously wrong if one one person can express controversial views and another person is not allowed to express an alternative.
- NEWSTALK ZB, NZHERALD STAFF
