More vitriolic personal attacks.

If anyone thought I was being over the top in saying that the Nats were now into desperate muck-raking, one only has to look at the attacks on David Benson-Pope yesterday in the House (Stuff, TVNZ) for confirmation of the theme. Anything that can be thrown will. What they seem to forget is that those who are in glass houses, really shouldn't throw stones.

Gutter politics really has arrived. I don't think I've seen the Opposition so desperate once, in the last five and a half years. Their level of hysteria and hatred is really quite revolting. I hope they're ready for the inevitable consequences of this kind of politics.

Maybe we should start talking about some of the skeletons in the Tories' closets? It could all get very messy, very easily...

BP said it right. If people have evidence of the things they have alleged, they should take it to the Police. If they don't, they prove only one thing: that like Winston, their sole aim is destructive.

Comments

[BerlinBear]

Jordan,
For those of us not in the House (or indeed the country) today, can you provide either a link to what was said, or a brief account of it? Would like to form a clearer picture.

Cheers

[AL]

If they take it to the cops, will Helen leak it to the Sunday Star-Times? Or is that only when someone she wants to get rid of a Police Commissioner?

[Craig Ranapia]

Benson Pope should really learn the difference between 'refute' and 'deny'. Otherwise, let's see what shakes down.

BTW, I'm inclined to take Benson Pope at his word until proved otherwise — this pesky legal principle called 'the presumption of innocence until proved guilty' applies to everyone, even people I don't particularly esteem.

But if you have any evidence that any former school teacher on the Opposition benches sadistically tortured or beat his/her pupils
please take your own advice and forward it to the Police.

Again, I find it a wee bit hypocritical to be threatening payback while pompously decrying the politics of personal destruction.

[tim barclay]

Gutter politics as you call it are the politics of Helen, Trevor and Michael. It is all fair game. Benson Pope can play in the gutter with the best of them. It is all on and I look forward to it with relish. Get your missiles ready, the right is going nuclear.

[Jordan]

And who will gain from that?

[tim barclay]

The public will see that this Government can play hardball with the best of them. It is not a game of solo tennis, the balls will get hit back from time to time. So what, that is politics. Let the fun begin.

[Jordan]

Well I hope you are wrong, but fear you are right. It's like two fourth-formers facing off in the playground. Turning away is not the done thing.

[Craig Ranapia]

Jordan -

I don't know if you've been listening to Morning Report, but Hide has said he accepts BP's denial and (if I caught the whole interview) apologised.

Do hope you will update, because I'd like to see this a lot more of this from MP's on all sides of the House. What ususally happens when an allegation made under privilege doesn't pan out is the silence of the grave.

To broaden things out a little, I've long been a fan of severely restricting parliamentary privilege. Thoughts?

[Gooner]

Colin James said last night on the idiot box that politicians were fair game. They all get it (mostly) and it is part of the job. I agree Jordan that it is kinda immature, but that's politics.

Craig, the radio I heard did not have an apology from Rodney, he said he accepts Benson-Pope's refution and will leave it to his sources (the ex-students) to come up with the goods.

[Craig Ranapia]

Gooner -

I stand corrected.

I didn't catch James last night, but I find it rather ironic that Benson Pope (or any other MP) can stand up in the House and say anything he likes about anyone outside and there's absolutely no recourse.

And I'm sorry if this sounds petty, but it really gets up my nose when an educator seems to think 'refute' is synonymous with 'deny'. :)

[amanda]

"The public will see that this government can play hardball". All I see at the moment is this government shooting itself in the foot and monumentally screwing up the fundamentals.
The Opposition don't need to muck-rake: the government is giving them opportunity on a silver platter. I wait with interest to see what else can implode for them this election year.

[Jordan]

From what I heard on Morning Report, Rodney is not withdrawing anything. He is just accepting the Minister's word, as the rules of Parliament require him to do.

I notice Judith Collins has seriously shut up.

Amanda - it's obviously been a very tough fortnight, but I think that next week will have a somewhat different tone.

[tim barclay]

It they do not give tax cuts to hardworking New Zealanders and it looks like they will not, not even lifting thresholds, the budget for us taxpayers will not be popular. Bring it on, remember you can play dirt with the best of them and you started it.

[Sock Thief]

I heard the Linda Clark interview with the guy supposedly bullied by Benson-Pope. He sounded a bit mad. Is it rue that Rodney Hide has had sexual realtions with sheep? Just asking the question. He can deny it at an time.

I wouldn't be too concerned about this and Doonegate, Jordan. It just shows how weak the opposition is on the real issues.

[Gooner]

I'm not surprised he's mad after receiving the alleged beating he did from the bully.

I was talking to an MP a few weeks ago and I asked her this question:

"who are the nicest and nastiest MP's on a personal level"

Nicest were Steve Chadwick and a couple of others whose names escape me. Nastiest was easy she said - David Benson-Pope. She said he was a 'horrible man'.

Boop, doop de do.

[Pete]

In reference to those who assert - "that’s politics"- I’d like to say that is absolute rubbish.
If this type of dirt is "politics" to you than I suggest you stay away from politics and get into dog fighting or other sadistic pursuits.
Surely we are all in politics because we all desire to see a better way forward for everyone? Not this type of rubbish.
If there really is substance to these allegations, than surely the Police would be the place to take them.

[Gooner]

Colin James said this Pete.

[pete]

I know Gooner, I was aware of that-
I was more directing my comment at those of who this is the focus of being involved with politics and whom seem to revel in this type of unsubstantiated mud slinging...
Incidentally I was pleased to see the reaction of those of who could have been all over it- Sir Humphs and DPF- they have shown a admirable level of maturity in not getting in the gutter about it.

[Gooner]

I don't enjoy it either Pete.

[Craig Ranapia]

Sock Thief -

Well, that's charming. I guess victims of sexual and physical abuse should just shut up if they "sound a bit mad" — whatever that means.

FWIW, I accept Benson Pope's word until his alleged victim(s) lay charges which are tested in a court of law. But perhaps you should leave the psych assessments to people who are qualified to make them.

[Berend de Boer]

Well, one person came forward. More to come? I think the country is holding its breath right now. So far it seems Rodney has been quite diligent in researching this story.

And as you are undoubtedly aware, even Labour knew it.

[Jordan]

MPs are good at sharing allegations they hear about themselves among their own caucuses. It is usually best to have a no surprises policy.

[Justin]

I dunno, he LOOKS like he coulda done it. He's got the whole Julius Streicher thing going on ...

[rightkiwi]

I believe the allegations against Benson-Pope wholeheartedly. What would be surprising would be someone coming forward and saying he taught them and that he was an inspirational teacher who encouraged them to achieve their potential with his warm, caring approach etc etc. It has been well document that this guy is among the least liked MPs in parliament, on all sides of the House. Are we expected to believe he was not equally a creep when he was a teacher?
BUT, as everyone else has said, no one knows for sure and he is entitled to the benefit of the doubt, at least formally.

[Paul]

Folks any suggest that Linda Clark is a journalist of any ability is a joke.

This is all typical of how to run a media driven trial these days.
1 Leak something, only a little bit
2or Use Parliament to make claims
3 Media jump on board
4 Denials
5 More media, no journalistic investigations, get on Holmes
6 More Leaks, inside Parliament
7 Don't repeat outside of house.
8 More medai, still no real work
9 Less coverage till story dies
10 Job well done, nothing coming ffrom it except another person smeared by an inept opposition.

this years political 'scandals' are last years home invasions, which in turn were the year before dog attacks, which were...

You get the picture, Journalism in this country is a joke. When a guest on Linda Clark claims that the Police is a business annd she just lets the comment slip, that what your realing with folks.

He said, she said, opps sorry he didn't she didn't, or maybe they did but know one knows is pathetic and an embarrassment.

[Berend de Boer]

Paul, the typical leftie. Don't attack the message, always attach the messenger.

You people are soooo pathetic.

[Gopher]

If this is what the opposition is doing they must have great policies to be talking about?

[randominanity]

I'm with de Boer on this one. Blame the polly's that are doing the stupid stuff, not the journo's for reporting it.

At least voters who see the story can make their own judgements about the moral qualities of both Hide, Collins, and Benson-Pope.

Or whichever politicians are in the shit that day!

[tim barclay]

Paul you must have learned your politics at the knee of the Labour Party because that is exactly what they do. Now they are getting it back and yes the right wing blogs are keeping it going. Read Rupert Murdoch's speach on the influence of the internet and what challenges it poses for print meadia.

[Berend de Boer]

randominanity, I like to see politicians in the shit as much as you do.

I hate it when they are dishing out the shit. Be it quoting from still confidential reports to journo's to get rid of your own police commisioner, or beating up young pupils. Then I start to get agigated.

[Oliver]

rightkiwi:
" Are we expected to believe he was not equally a creep when he was a teacher?"

Well, I thought he was alright. I was at Bayfield from 1991 to 1995, a few years after the date of these allegations. I was never in Benson-Pope's classes but did go on school camps with him, went tramping with him for a week, and knew a few people who were in his German classes. He didn't have a reputation as a bully as far as I was aware.

[Berend de Boer]

Oliver, are you the same Oliver that posts at Stephen Cooper's site?

[Oliver.]

No.