One 20 year old man has caused substantial damage after alleged sexual assaults at a party during a Young Labour summer camp last month.
I think he should front up and identify himself, to remove suspicion from anyone else (particularly the other young males who attended the camp). As he is facing a police investigation and possible charges he shouldn’t have to admit anything, but he should out himself.
Jacinda Ardern accepts that something serious occurred:
“The environment was not a safe one and that’s something we have to fix.
“It shouldn’t have happened, we should absolutely have made sure those people were looked after and that hasn’t happened.”
From a statement from Labour General Secretary Andrew Kirton indicates no party denial that something serious happened:
“We are extremely disappointed that an incident like this happened at a Labour event and we are working to make sure those involved receive any support they need. We are deeply sorry for the distress that’s been caused. It shouldn’t have happened.
“The morning after an evening in which we understand several young people had consumed alcohol, Young Labour was alerted to complaints in relation to the behaviour of a 20-year-old man.
“I have subsequently banned the perpetrator from any future Labour Party events.”
The actions of the 20 year old have caused problems for many.
Obviously the claimed four victims will be have been affected, at least one (reported to be male) to the extent that they prompted Labour (Megan Woods) to do something about it, and they have now complained to the police, who are investigating.
Others impacted by their actions or by association:
- Young Labour, who have had all events suspended by the Labour Party.
- The camp organiser (who went to bed early, before the alleged offences occurred).
- The Labour Party, in particular secretary Andrew Kirton who has admitted not responding to the allegations adequately, and also president Nigel Haworth who was involved in the inadequate action.
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who, if as claimed she only found out when blind sided at a media conference on Monday, has been seriously embarrassed by the offending at the camp (which she had attended) and by the poor handling of the aftermath.
- Cabinet Minister Megan Woods who initiated action when approached by someone on Facebook – she should be credited for acting immediately, but has been criticised for not informing Ardern.
- New Labour MP Liz Craig, who was at the camp but was asleep when the alleged offences occurred (however she was present when alcohol was being consumed).
- The 50 or so attendees at the camp.
Those who attended the camp other than the alleged victims will also have been impacted. I’m sure they have had to explain their involvement in the camp, and the partying, and if under age the alcohol consumption (and possibly drugs).
Kirton told the Herald that Labour had not sought the consent of minors to supply them alcohol because it had not been expected that they would be drinking alcohol.
Under the law it is unlawful to supply anyone aged under 18 with alcohol without the consent of a parent or guardian.
Kirton said such consent was not sought “because the intention was no one under 18 would participate in that.”
According to witnesses who spoke to Newsroom, there was a large array of alcohol available at the Saturday night party including rum, vodka, cider and a large array of RTDs. The witness saw many people drinking, including a 15-year-old.
This will affect any Labour events in the future.
But the biggest and immediate issue is the alleged sexual assaults.
Any of the males who attended the camp will be under suspicion. Most won’t be 20 years old, but they shouldn’t have to wear signs around their necks saying “Yes I was at the camp but no I am not 20!”
Andrew Kirton:
Kirton says the 20-year-old alleged to have groped the four teenagers at the event was “deeply embarrassed” when confronted about it the next day.
“He was spoken to the morning after and my understanding is he was deeply embarrassed and they got him out straight away.
“My understanding from the conversation relayed back to me was that he recognised he had drunk too much and that he was embarrassed by what happened.”
Recognising that he had drunk too much is not the issue. The allegations of multiple sexual groping are the problem here, and alcohol consumption is no excuse for that. Most people who drink alcohol don’t act as alleged he did. There is only one alleged offender.
That person should identify themselves so that no one else involved is under suspicion.
This shouldn’t impact on the victims, who won’t be identified any more than they are now.
The 20 year old, if he did offend, has a legal right to not admit anything, but he could save the victims a lot ongoing attention and grief by fronting up and accepting responsibility and admitting what he did. This would mean the victims would not have to go through the investigation processes and possibly court processes.
The 20 year old has caused many problems and has done a lot of damage, to the victims if the allegations are true, to Young Labour and to Labour.
He could mitigate some of that damage by fronting up. This would also mitigate the end result of any legal repercussions.
If he remains silent and anonymous the damage will continue – in particular for the victims and for innocent males who also attended the camp.
Pete George
/ March 15, 2018lurcher1948
/ March 15, 2018Well his name is out there,where are the investigative reporters,how hard is it to find out????
Gezza
/ March 15, 2018If this drunken perv’s got any brains he’ll be in Australia already.
Gezza
/ March 15, 2018Righto. I’ve put one radio on Guyon’s RNZ & another NewStalkZB. Switching on the latter I had the misfortune to catch Hosking ranting about this affair. He concluded by asking, if, after 6 months in power Labour can’t even run a Youth Camp, how on earth can they expect to run the country?
FFS Mikey. Young Labour ran the boody thing. Not Jacinda. I don’t think Mikey is exactly taking a completely fair, dispassionate & balanced approac in his commentary tbh. I think he might have it in for this government. Just a feeling.
alloytoo
/ March 15, 2018“Young Labour ran the boody thing”
You’re not making this sound any better.
Young Labour is the youth wing of the New Zealand Labour Party, it appears that you’re trying to shift blame for the mess onto the Kindergarten kids because the teacher was off having a smoko.
Gezza
/ March 15, 2018It’s impossible to make things sound any better. This is a train wreck. The Jacinda thing has been all about schmoozing up impressionable teenage schoolkidz from the very start of her election campaign. And the only people who think she hadn’t heard a thing about it before she got asked at that first Press Conference are … well – despite what a couple of female supporters in the msm pretend to think – nobody!
I just think Mike Hosking should be tranquilized & taken off the air for a few days. He’s over-excited.
High Flying Duck
/ March 15, 2018He should have said Labour can’t handle the fall out of a Youth Camp – that was handled by the top brass in the party and seems to be where the problems lie.
PDB
/ March 15, 2018Hosking’s conclusion seems correct though – I think Gareth Morgan was right for a change with his ‘lipstick on a pig’ statement.
Traveller
/ March 15, 2018Young Labour is 100% Labour Gezza. They do not have autonomy or exist in a vacuum. It’s clear by their Summer Camp that MPs are involved and Kirton was there too.
I’m very surprised that on any level under 18s are encouraged to be part of the adult mix. I don’t think it’s health when you get a stay away scenario then add drugs and alcohol. There’s a powder keg of drug enhanced hormones raging already and adding children to an unsupervised mix is a recipe for disaster.
“Think of the children” should be their future guideline not brainwashing and ensnaring future activists at any cost.
Blazer
/ March 15, 2018make sure you contact National M.P. Chris Bishop,and relay your …sentiments.
traveller
/ March 15, 2018Only you would situate two contradictory ideas alongside each other, such as a harmless impersonal group snapchat shoutout, with the alleged serious sexual assault of minors – and believe himself
Trevors_elbow
/ March 15, 2018You are smearing again Blazer. Grow up
NOEL
/ March 15, 2018Hoskings just proves what its really about for partisan National supporters. Forget Judiths claims its about the victims.
PDB
/ March 15, 2018Certainly Labour was more concerned for their political well-being rather than caring for the alleged victims.
traveller
/ March 15, 2018There is no doubt about that even amongst their most severe critics – even Bradbury is calling for Kirton’s head
Pete George
/ March 15, 2018Presumably meaning the alleged offending.
Awkward for her given the issues over alcohol consumption of under age teens.
High Flying Duck
/ March 15, 2018That photo was taken during the “quiz” before the party proper began (apparently).
alloytoo
/ March 15, 2018What was Andrew Little’s goto line…..ah yes….
“Asleep at the wheel.”
Ray
/ March 15, 2018Even more awkward when you read her speeches in the House on the subject of boozing.
PDB
/ March 15, 2018The story gets even more unbelievable – Dr Liz Craig was there the night of the drinking and the next morning and says she only just found out with the rest of us of the alleged offending?? Really?
I find it very hard to believe that Young Labour people she spent some time with at the event never told her when the accusations first hit (or soon after) or that Kirton would have not questioned what she knew when he was initially told of the alleged incidents considering she was there on the night in question.
Blazer
/ March 15, 2018wring every last drop out of this Orange.If a crime has been committed and a complaint made,a charge will be…laid.Thats how it works.To expect the person involved to call a press conference is….ludicrous.As for Hosking….Wells- be like Mike …nailed him..good.Wanker…extraordinaire.
PDB
/ March 15, 2018Blazer:”wring every last drop out of this Orange.”
Just ignore the obvious political cover up and downplaying of sexual assault? Righto.
Gezza
/ March 15, 2018Gezza
/ March 15, 2018Ray
/ March 15, 2018Considering how the Labour Party efforts have been to keep his name out of the public eye I doubt we will ever know.
Blazer
/ March 15, 2018Do people deserve trial by media…Ray?If the driver is charged,his name will be…revealed.
Ray
/ March 15, 2018Care to make a small wager on that blaze?
That the offender’s name will be revealed when he is charged.
A $100 says it won’t.
Blazer
/ March 15, 2018I never wager over the internet Ray…been stiffed too many…times.Why would this driver be of…importance re name suppression?
Ray
/ March 15, 2018Didn’t think you would be prepared to put money on your ridiculous statement.
Why, because his parents seem to have pull with the Labour Party.
traveller
/ March 15, 2018I’ve not seen it, but I’ve seen on twitter that his name is actually out there if you have competency on google. Also, it was a boy who contacted Megan Woods is another thing I have heard.
duperez
/ March 15, 2018Did it mention on twitter whether he is a labour Party member or a guest at the do?
High Flying Duck
/ March 15, 2018I think he was described as “not a member, but is a supporter” who was acting as a driver to get people to the event.
Can’t remember where I saw that.
George Black
/ March 15, 2018I seem to recall just how a National MP was castigated for months because it was claimed that he had ‘recorded’ some-one yet these same fake news pundits are defending the backers to what appear to be a set of crude sexual advances and underage boozers
Blazer
/ March 15, 2018are you referring to Nationals Todd Barclay…who point blank refused to co operate with the NZ Police.?
traveller
/ March 15, 2018Where was the sexual assault of minors ago there please? One is a civil matter and the other a criminal matter, therefore conflation is absurd.
Blazer
/ March 15, 2018Chris Bishop,snap chatting minors…inappropriate.
traveller
/ March 15, 2018What BS. An MP sending comms to people. ZERO sexual connotations, let alone hands down pants.
PDB
/ March 15, 2018Ardern has looked very weak in all this – Kirton HAS to go for lying about what happened & no doubt trying to hide allegations of sexual assault for political reasons.
*He lied by saying he got advice from ‘experts’ at the time of the incidents which told him to not tell parents and/or the PM. In actual fact he only approached the ‘experts’ three weeks after the incidents when a youth complained to Woods about a lack of action as to the issue.
*He lied about telling the alleged victims at the time of the incidents that they could go to police.
*He lied about wanting to put the alleged victims needs first when in actual fact he did nothing for them for at least three weeks when an alleged victim complained to Woods about a lack of action/support from the Labour party.
Essentially at the time all Labour did was dismiss the alleged offender and nothing else. Also why are Labour Party President Nigel Howarth & Senior Vice President Beth Houston getting a free ride in the media considering they were also told of the incidents and chose to do nothing about them or support the alleged victims?
As I mentioned previously it appears Kirton knows where the bodies are hidden and hence his position is safe.
traveller
/ March 15, 2018I’m not surprised at this incompetency and what is looking more and more like a moral vacuum within Labour. In the meantime, we have a PM and her beau who swan about the place like peacocks. They’re in every magazine, even in US Vogue and foreign television interviews, where they can be seen spouting platitudes and virtue signalling like a mad seaman. Gayford is that particularly loathsome sort of self-promoting skite Kiwis will eventually consign to the tall poppy chopped down pile. To me it’s clear their priorities lie in branding and self promotion, and in Ardern’s case, there’s little room left for being on top of issues when your dashing about smiling and waving like a film star.
“Everything I’ve ever thought about doing has been in some sense about helping people,”
Hand me a Tuis..
Blazer
/ March 15, 2018‘ In the meantime, we have a PM and his son who swan about the place like peacocks. They’re in every magazine, and foreign television interviews, where they can be seen spouting platitudes and virtue signalling like a mad seaman. Max Key is that particularly loathsome sort of self-promoting skite Kiwis will eventually consign to the tall poppy chopped down pile. To me it’s clear their priorities lie in branding and self promotion, and in Key’s case, there’s little room left for being on top of issues when your dashing about smiling and waving like a film star.
“Everything I’ve ever thought about doing has been in some sense about ensuring NZ’ers don’t become tenants in their own country”
Hand me a Pinot Noir …I don’t really like…the taste of…beer.
Gezza
/ March 15, 2018Actually Nigel should be getting a real good slapping. He stood up for a minute at the Presser yesterday or two made a few excuses & mollifying statements before getting to his main point – which was that he and his mate Andy Kirton were both doing a brilliant job & wouldn’t be resigning – & then handed it over to Jacinda to have tell the world the who,e thing’s been a bloody cock-up from beginning to end, there’s likely to be complaints about other sexual assaults now, seeing another one’s already been made, the pissups at these things are obviously legendary & they’re being run by irresponsible children & the adults there are bloody hopeless. So these parties are over! Thanks guys. I used to enjoy a beer at these! Now it’ll have to be bloody milk & cookies! What bloody teenager’s coming for milk & bloody cookies for godsake. Idiots.
PDB
/ March 15, 2018Kirton/Howarth/Houston did such a great job of looking into the allegations that Labour MP Dr Liz Craig reckons she wasn’t even aware of the allegations until a few days ago and she was the most senior Labour person at the event on the night in question!
““I was dismayed to hear of events being raised in the media this week, as I was unaware until then that anything of this nature had occurred,” she said on Wednesday evening.”
So many lies it’s hard to keep track of them all.
Blazer
/ March 15, 2018do your….best.400 to ..beat.
Gezza
/ March 15, 2018EVERYBODY JUST CALM DOWN!
Just had a look and there’s NOTHING about this minor little gremlin in the works ANYWHERE on the front page of Stuff.
Panic’s over. We can all relax.
Gezza
/ March 15, 2018Oh. Soz. 1.34pm
Keeping Stock
/ March 15, 2018Oh dear Gezza; there goes your theory…
https://metronews.co.nz/article/sex-harassment-claim-in-chch-labour-youth
This one relates to predatory behaviour during the 2017 election complain, and originates from Christchurch. If one was curious, one might wonder if there was any connection between this incident, and a Christchurch-based Minister, Megan Woods, being contacted last week over Labour’s inadequate response to the summer camp assaults.
This seems to be becoming a habit…
Gezza
/ March 15, 2018Gezza
/ March 15, 2018Nah. It’s ok KS.Only a jounalism student rag. Nuthin on 1ewes. Herald’s still only got Soper’s support message to Jacinda. All good. All blown over. Everything under control. The Jacinda media love fest can crank up again. No worries. 👍🏼
Alan Wilkinson
/ March 15, 2018Patience, G. Labour organising under age pissup without a brewery:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12013540
Gezza
/ March 15, 2018Not a biggie.
Only getting a screaming read moving banner headline: “‘Recipe for Disaster’: Witness tells of teens vomiting in the bushes and toilets from too much booze at Labour Summer camp”.
Be page 12 by morning. 👍🏼
PDB
/ March 15, 2018All good – Andrew Kirton sorted everything out within a few days of the night in question. Did such a great job Ardern is on record as being right behind him & saying he is doing an outstanding job for Labour.
PDB
/ March 15, 2018This sums up the situation well: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/03/15/96879/how-bad-is-bad-enough
This next piece is particularly interesting, especially as Kirton was seen in parliament the day the story broke: “Labour’s general secretary Andrew Kirton has known about the assaults since four days after the camp in early February. Before the issue became public on Monday, he had a number of hours to contact the Prime Minister and/or the victims, before the story was published. He did not do so.”
Did Kirton tell Ardern? Newsroom say in the above statement Kirton was told the story was about to break a number of hours before they asked Ardern about the incidents. Hard to believe he didn’t tell her and her lack of surprise in being asked suggests she had been tipped off. If for some strange reason he didn’t warn her he should be booted out for essentially setting her up.
The article finishes with something relevant to some people on here: “But with the clear acceptance at the top that so much went wrong – for the victims, and *after* the camp – the ongoing confidence in Kirton and the attempts by some fringe Labour supporters to minimise these issues are more than a little troubling.”.