By all accounts Andrew Little is a "straight up guy", who like many politicians has a tendency to speak his mind, often using strong language and accusations to make a point.
In accusing Earl and Lana Hagaman and their Scenic Circle Hotel chain of being granted management rights of a Niue tourism resort after making a $100,000 donation to National, Little crossed a very significant line. Even after being briefed by my Labour MP, Jacinda Adhern's father that he had his facts wrong, Little continued to push his accusation. The Auditor General has investigated and found these claims had no basis in truth leaving Little high and dry with no basis for defence in the case brought by the Hagamans. Being a man of apparently humble means, the leader of the virtually bankrupt Labour Party faces the daunting task of finding funds to both defend his position, and to pay whatever damages may result. With the recent clearing of the decks within Little's Wellington office, and the historical precedent set by the short tenure of his predecessors, some pundits wonder if Little's term as Party Leader might be drawing to a close - paying damages from the salary of a simple MP ($156,136) considerably more difficult than that of the Leader of the Opposition ($281,881|). Perhaps with the benefit of hindsight the humility of an early apology would have been the prudent option. Comments are closed.
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Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
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