Personal Explanations — Prime Minister's Statement—Unparliamentary Language

During the course of the debate following the Prime Minister’s statement to the House yesterday afternoon, I raised a series of points of order with the Speaker at the time, and in so doing I consider that I used language that was unparliamentary and put the Speaker in a position that I would consider to be somewhat invidious and unacceptable. I have apologised to the Hon John Tamihere, who was speaking in the debate at the time, and I now apologise to the House for any poor reflection that that comment, and the raising of that question, may have brought on other members of Parliament. I have apologised to my own caucus. I wish to assure the House that in no way does the questioning line that I pursued yesterday indicate my usual intent on those matters. It is out of character for me to resort to that sort of behaviour. Once again, I sincerely apologise, particularly to the Māori members of the House, who could easily be in a position of taking offence, and, indeed, to all members, on whom that matter could reflect poorly.