Laws ignores PM's apology call

Michael Laws says John Key should get back to watching the rugby and not try to be so politically correct. Photo / Wanganui Chronicle

Prime Minister John Key has called for Michael Laws to apologise after calling Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand fat, but Laws says Mr Key should stop being so PC.

On his radio show last week Laws called Sir Anand a "large, fat man" who has "never left the buffet table".

His comments came after TVNZ Breakfast host Paul Henry, who resigned last night, asked Mr Key on live television if the country would have a Governor-General who looked and sounded "more like a New Zealander" next time.

Speaking to media at Eden Park yesterday, Mr Key said Laws' comments were inappropriate.

"I think there has to be respect and dignity shown to the Governor-General and Michael Laws has failed to do that and I'm disappointed in that.

"There's no place for personal attacks. Constitutionally, it's extremely difficult for the Governor-General to defend himself and I just personally believe that Michael was out of line and he should offer an apology to the Governor-General."

But Laws said yesterday that wouldn't happen and the issue was a "beat-up" by the Herald and the Herald on Sunday.

"I made a comment about Anand Satyanand that was to do with his weight. He is a walking poster for obesity and he looks like he's never left the buffet table since he was a young man. Now I'm sorry, but that's just the truth. He's fat. He needs to do something about it - end of story.

"I'm meant to apologise for that? You've got to be joking. That's what he is."

Responding to Mr Key's comments that there was "no place for personal attacks", Laws said Mr Key came from a political party which had launched political and personal attacks on its opponents.

"Has he never indulged in any personal political attacks since he's been an MP? Of course he has. Now, it's time for the Prime Minister to grow some hair on his chest, start to get informed and stop being so PC.

"He's the Prime Minister, he's not some pussy that the Labour Party decided to plant in the National Party so I'd say to the Prime Minister get back to watching the rugby and worry about being so overtly politically correct when the rest of the country needs you to show some real leadership around the economy."

The Governor-General deserved no more respect and dignity than anyone else in New Zealand, Laws said.

"It's a silly job - grossly overpaid, staffed by people who have no relevance to real New Zealanders and I'm meant to respect his position. You've got to be joking."

Asked what he had to say to other who might be upset by his comments, Laws said: "They need to get into therapy now."