KEY POINTS:
It isn't often anyone gets the last word when they tangle with Winston Peters, but National's Chester Borrows managed to in Parliament yesterday.
It started when the Whanganui MP offered ministers some advice, by way of interjection, during question time.
It wasn't audible beyond the benches at the back of the chamber but Mr Peters heard it.
He was on his feet with a point of order for Speaker Margaret Wilson.
"In the interests of certain standards in this House, I would ask you to ask the National Party member at the back who used the phrase 'tell the minister to get off his ... ' and I won't say what else he said, and apologise to the House for that very intemperate language."
Ms Wilson said she hadn't heard what Mr Borrows said, but ordered him to withdraw and apologise anyway.
That done, Mr Borrows scribbled a note which was carried by messenger to Mr Peters.
It brought him to his feet again.
"You asked that member to apologise ... he has now written to me using the same phrase and I don't think he should. He should again apologise to the House."
Ms Wilson didn't go that far, although she advised members that if they wanted to send offensive notes to each other it would be better to do it outside the chamber.
Mr Peters stood up again, clutching the note, and sought permission to table it.
Permission was granted and the note became an official document of Parliament, available for public scrutiny and then to be archived.
Written under parliamentary letterhead, it was addressed to the Rt Hon Winston Peters.
"Got you off your arse though, didn't I?" it said.
- NZPA
