We do not threaten MPs in NZ: Key

There is no place for threats to politicians in New Zealand politics, says Prime Minister John Key.

His comment follows Green MP Sue Bradford's claims she has received an increased amount of abusive correspondence, including an assassination threat, since the start of the smacking referendum.

Her member's bill in 2007 removed the defence of reasonable force when smacking children.

Mr Key said New Zealand prided itself on having "fierce debates" but "we don't resort to political assassination".

"People write stupid comments on social networking sites, so I don't know whether there's anything really sinister behind it, but there's no place for it in our political debate," he told Newstalk ZB.

Ms Bradford said she received one email that was so awful her secretary took it to the police. After investigating the email, police asked Ms Bradford if she wanted to prosecute. She said yes.

Last week another seriously threatening email arrived and was referred to police.

A comment on social networking site Twitter said Ms Bradford was a good candidate for political assassination.

Ms Bradford said the threats and abuse were worse when her bill was going through Parliament two years ago.

But she was not complaining.

"It's part of the job," she said. "I hate to think what the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers [get sent]."

- NZPA