Goff defends Norman's right to protest

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman displays his Tibetan flag during the arrival of Chinese Vice President Xi JinPing. Photo / NZ Herald

Labour leader Phil Goff has defended Green Party co-leader Russel Norman's right to protest at Parliament and said the clash with Chinese security should not have happened.

Dr Norman laid a complaint with police following the incident, which happened shortly after midday as a delegation led by Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping arrived at Parliament. He said he believed those involved should not be able to leave the country until an investigation had taken place.

Dr Norman was waving a Tibetan flag and calling for democracy as the delegation walked by, but a scuffle broke out as he had an umbrella shoved towards him and the flag pulled from his grasp and thrown on the ground. He emerged with a bleeding hand, which he believed was stomped on.

He managed to retrieve the flag and loudly remind delegates they could not suppress freedom of speech in New Zealand, but said he was shocked at the response he got.

"I think it's pretty outrageous that Chinese security can come to our country and push around an elected member of Parliament simply because we are standing up for democracy and freedom in our own country on our own Parliamentary grounds," he told reporters.

Police said the assault complaint would be "assessed and investigated as quickly as possible" and would include discussions with Parliamentary Speaker Lockwood Smith.

After visiting Parliament Mr Xi had lunch at Government House and was due to meet with Mr Goff back at Parliament afterwards, but that venue was changed at short notice to a central Wellington hotel.

Mr Goff said the scuffle was raised in conversation at the hotel -- and acknowledged by Mr Xi -- who said he understood a culture of free speech and peaceful protest was acceptable here.

Mr Goff said he hadn't seen footage of the incident but knew enough to suggest there may have been an over-reaction. "I don't think it's on at all -- that should not have happened."

"We expect people to be respectful to our visitors, but we also retain the right to protest peacefully."

He said if Dr Norman felt aggrieved, then he backed the decision to lay a complaint with police.

The Chinese delegation has been heavy on its own security during the three-day visit and it appeared New Zealand security had at times been forced into the background.

Dr Norman said it was concerning that government security appeared to have let their Chinese counterparts take control of Parliament.

"Certainly the New Zealand security didn't seem to give a lot of assistance," he said of the clash. "I mean the Chinese security guards elbowed me out of the way, and then I got an umbrella over the top of me and they took the flag off my hands and trampled on it and there wasn't a lot of support from New Zealand security that I could see."

Footage showed at least one New Zealand security guard appeared to try and get between Dr Norman and those he was scuffling with.

Mr Key had met with Mr Xi in Auckland earlier in the day and told NZPA it was disappointing the incident would overshadow what had otherwise been a significant and successful visit aimed at further strengthening trade ties between the countries.

Talking before seeing footage of the incident, he said he generally supported Dr Norman's right to protest.

"At the end of the day we will need to reflect on that situation and I guess in future ensure that both the New Zealander's right to express their view and protest is preserved but the dignitary involved doesn't feel their safety and security is compromised," he said.

- NZPA