People are behind me on burqas, says Clarkson

Bob Clarkson

National MP Bob Clarkson says he has public support for his controversial comments on Muslims, homosexuals and his fellow MPs, because he talks like a real New Zealander.

Mr Clarkson, who is understood to have been asked by senior National staff to stop talking about the contentious interviews he gave last week, said he expected to get a dressing down at today's National caucus meeting.

But he was unrepentant about comments on Muslim attire which have earned him the ire of his party leadership.

He did not want to comment yesterday, and "if you want to wind it up again on Tuesday I might be a dead duck by then".

Mr Clarkson said he was not under any pressure to maintain his silence, but he had been "yimmer-yammering" too much and did not want to speak further about his call for Muslim women to not wear veils if they "wanted to fit into our country".

"It's just purely got overheated. God, I can't believe a little burqa could cause so much strife."

The National Party refused to comment yesterday, saying it was an internal caucus issue.

Islamic groups and other political parties have condemned Mr Clarkson's comments and called on National leader Don Brash to bring into line an MP who, in a short political career, has a long list of colourful comments.

Last week Mr Clarkson told Parliament he was "p***ed off" that he could not hear what was being said.

In an interview on Friday he said he had nothing against gays and lesbians "as long as they're doing it in their own house, but if you try to ram it down my throat look out".

However, the party must be anxiously awaiting for tomorrow and Mr Clarkson's first "Good Jokers Unite!" meeting, where he is expected to speak about the furore his comments have created.

Mr Clarkson's office has received more than 150 emails since his comments were reported, with all but a few being supportive.

"I'm not surprised at all, actually, because I talk honestly and I talk like a real New Zealander," he said.

Yesterday Prime Minister Helen Clark said Mr Clarkson was in danger of becoming a standing joke.

"You've got to remember some of the people here who are wearing burqas are people who have actually been traumatised fleeing from their countries, ending up in refugee camps, eventually getting refuge in New Zealand.

"I just think he needs to show a little more sensitivity than that."


WHAT HE SAID

* "I do have a bit of a problem with Islam religion-type people wearing scarves and burqas ... I think people should fit into the country." - MP Bob Clarkson last Thursday

"It's just purely got overheated. God, I can't believe a little burqa could cause so much strife." - Mr Clarkson yesterday