The campaign by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters against alleged Iraqi Baath Party members living here came under attack yesterday from Immigration Minister Paul Swain.
Mr Peters this week claimed to have uncovered a further three such men. One of them, Amir Salman, has strenuously rejected Mr Peters' claims and demanded an apology.
Mr Salman, an electrical engineer, left Iraq in 1995 and entered New Zealand under the skilled migrants category.
Mr Swain was asked by Green MP Keith Locke if he agreed with Auckland Refugee Council president Dr Munjid Umara that Mr Peters' accusations were "smearing the 3000 to 4000 Iraqis living here".
Mr Swain: "I do agree with comments from a number of community leaders who are saying that the attacks now that are coming out are smearing the good name of those communities.
"The reality, as most people know, is that Mr Peters doesn't care about that because what he's after is a few cheap points in the poll."
Mr Peters took offence, complaining that Mr Swain was breaching parliamentary rules by "imputing motives".
Mr Swain withdrew and apologised for the comments.
Swain hits out at Peters
Winston Peters
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