Meurant's baton fetches $20,000

Ross Meurant and a 1981 picture of the Red Squad in action. Herald file pictures

Former Red Squad commander Ross Meurant says he has no regrets about selling his infamous baton used during the 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand.

Mr Meurant has sold the aluminium weapon to a private collector in South Africa for at least $20,000.

It had earlier been placed on the internet auction site Trade Me with a minimum bid starting at $10,000 and a reserve price of $20,000.

Online bidding had reached $17,300 when Mr Meurant cancelled the auction.

Despite some criticism of the sale, Mr Meurant says has no regrets making money out of the weapon.

He says he put the baton up for sale because of its role in the Red Squad and he has no sentimentality for it.

The Red Squad police unit was set up to handle anti-tour protests.

John Minto, the face of the anti-tour movement in 1981, told the Herald last night the sale was amoral and bizarre.

"To try and make money out of the situation back in '81 is a bit tacky ... I think most people would find that offensive."

On the website, the Monodok PR 24 baton is described as "the Minto bar" and is pictured on a white sheet with a red rose placed underneath.

- NEWSTALK ZB, HERALD STAFF