Put up or shut up, Iraqis tell accuser Peters

A second Iraq man named in Parliament by Winston Peters last week as "a former chief person in the police of Saddam Hussein" has a message for the New Zealand First leader - put up or shut up.

Omar Ali, who lives in Howick with his wife and two children, rebutted Mr Peters' claims yesterday at an Auckland Iraqi community meeting.

Under parliamentary privilege last week, Mr Peters named Mr Ali and two other Iraqi immigrants - Amir Salman and "a man named Jazwan" - alleging they were formerly senior members of Saddam's Baath Party.

Progressive Party deputy leader Matt Robson, who attended the meeting, said Mr Salman and Mr Ali "challenged Winston Peters to put up or shut up". Mr Salman said the claims were "most stupid lies".

Mr Ali said: "I had no connection to the regime and had nothing to do with the police. I challenge [Mr Peters] to show his evidence."

Mr Ali said he was an engineer in Iraq for 16 years before emigrating to Auckland in 1997. He completed a Masters degree in civil engineering at Auckland University, and is now working as a sales manager.

"If [Mr Peters] has evidence, he should take it to the authorities rather than announce it in Parliament. He is trying to find a target to score points before the election."

Mr Robson said more than 100 people attended the meeting in Pakuranga, including Green MP Keith Locke and Labour MP Chris Carter, who is Minister of Ethnic Affairs.

Mr Robson repeated requests for Mr Peters to prove his claims. "He has caused such damage to the lives [of those named] with unsubstantiated material.

"Both [Mr Salman and Mr Ali] have children, families and jobs in New Zealand."

He said the Iraqi community had started a petition asking Parliament to stop the attacks on individuals and on the community as a whole.

Mr Peters declined to comment last night.