Plunket's suspension due to row with boss

Sean Plunket

A shouting match between National Radio presenter Sean Plunket and the head of news after a controversial interview led to the presenter's suspension.

After Plunket's fiery interview with Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons on Wednesday, a meeting with head of news Don Rood turned nasty, ending with Plunket swearing and throwing a pen at him before storming out.

It is understood Plunket reacted badly to Rood's "tone of voice", as he suggested the adversarial interviewer not interrupt his subjects.

Maggie Barry was beside Morning Report veteran host Geoff Robinson yesterday and could fill his seat again today, with Plunket not expected back on air.

It is not the first time Plunket has fallen out with management, taking a personal grievance case against the public broadcaster after he was passed over by Linda Clark to replace Kim Hill on Nine to Noon.

It is understood that, after the latest incident, he wrote an apology letter to Rood.

The Wednesday interview questioned the Greens' response to a pamphlet put out by the Exclusive Brethren church, criticising the party.

Plunket asked Ms Fitzsimons for evidence National was behind the pamphlets and asked whether the Greens would apologise.

A stream of listener complaints were received after Plunket followed with an interview with National's Gerry Brownlee, whom respondents said he was much softer on. In emails read out on air he was repeatedly accused of showing political bias.

Plunket is expected to meet management later today.

Neither Radio New Zealand nor Plunket would comment. The Engineering and Print Manufacturing Union, which represents Plunket and other newsroom journalists, also refused to comment.

Radio New Zealand and the Greens put out a press release yesterday saying no official complaint had been laid by the party.

But the Dominion Post reported yesterday that a Green Party employee had an "unofficial" conversation with an RNZ staffer, where disappointment was expressed at the interview's tone.

"While I felt Sean was unnecessarily rude and abrasive during our interview, I neither complained to RNZ about the interview, nor requested that any disciplinary action be taken," Ms Fitzsimons said.

She said the decision to suspend Plunket was RNZ's own doing.

Questions were also being asked about the legality of the suspension with the broadcaster in the midst of industrial action.

It is understood staff are due to discuss a pay increase of 4.2 per cent today.

- NZPA