Helen Clark has said that it was “unbelievable” that Jacinda Ardern was not told about sexual assault allegations at a Young Labour camp before the story broke publicly.
Stuff – Helen Clark: PM Ardern was ‘let down’ when she wasn’t told about sexual assault allegations
Labour general secretary Andrew Kirton has come under fire for not telling police, parents of the alleged victims, or the prime minister – his boss, about allegations a 20-year-old man sexually assaulted four teenagers at a Young Labour camp near Waihi in February.
Helen Clark:
“Jacinda was let down. She should have been told immediately, actually, then events would have taken a different course. And I cannot understand why she wasn’t told. Unbelievable.”
Asked if there should be ramifications for Andrew Kirton or those in party management, Clark said: “If you get out the book and ask what would Helen have done, well, draw your own conclusions.”
“She’s done her best to repair it after the event, but leaders never like to be blindsided.”
Ardern’s response (from her office):
“As the Prime Minister has said, there are more serious issues here that concern her than whether she was given an early warning by the party.”
Being ambushed by awkward revelations seems to be a recurring thing for Ardern.
Yesterday alone she has had to deal with The unclear Curran RNZ debacle as well as a disturbing claim of political blackmail involving a NZ First MP and possibly a NZ First Minister.
Pete George
/ 28th March 2018Kitty Catkin
/ 28th March 2018What a puerile neologism mansplaining is.
Corky
/ 28th March 2018Pricey is right, Aunt Helen wouldn’t have tolerated this shit. H1 and H2 would’ve kicked more than a few MPs and Officials to death on the 9th floor.
Maggy Wassilieff
/ 28th March 2018Now why has Helen entered into this Fray?
Don’t tell me there is dissent within the Labour camp?
Isn’t she too old, too white to be listened to?
Pete George
/ 28th March 2018Too white and too old for the Greens perhaps, but Ardern doesn’t seem to mind being under the influence of someone even older than Clark.
George Black
/ 28th March 2018She is still running as much of the show as Winston allows her
Gezza
/ 28th March 2018Now why has Helen entered into this Fray?
Worried that they’re not consulting her enough. Shot across the bows.
Trevors_elbow
/ 28th March 2018Spokes coming loose in the various wheels of the 3 Wheeled Circus…..
Summer Camps, JAG hating, NZF “misunderstandings” and taxi choppers, pork barrel regional funds, Curren & Hirsch (sounds like a Brit comedy show… except is not really funny)
Problems everywhere and no policies but lots of conversations…
Blazer
/ 28th March 2018keep calm…you’re mixing your metaphors…again.
Kitty Catkin
/ 28th March 2018No, he isn’t.
NOEL
/ 28th March 2018Helen you’ve got your defined benefit pension,special PM pension with corporate taxis and plane journeys for life from the taxpayer purse, so please get out of our face and let us also enjoy our retirement.
david in aus
/ 28th March 2018How can the country respect Jacinda if her own party doesn’t?
People are kept in the dark if they not trusted with information or are not respected.
Kitty Catkin
/ 28th March 2018Or are being protected and treated like a child ?
Kitty Catkin
/ 28th March 2018She wanted the job – she went all out to get it – she did get it. Whose fault is it if she’s out of her depth ?
It’s a cruel world. Ms Ardern.
Gezza
/ 28th March 2018Blazer
/ 28th March 2018another non story.22,000 cows have to be killed and compo paid….how did this develop?NZD backtrack on Afghanistan claims.Hospitals under resourced throughout the Coleman term.Nurses under paid and over worked.National’s ignorance of budget issues coming to light in many sectors…these are…stories.
david in aus
/ 28th March 2018Interesting that Helen Clark is commenting on a ‘non-story’. She had been reluctant in the past to inject herself into political debate.
Obviously, Jacinda cannot look after herself, she needs Aunty Helen to say how unbelievable things are.
Gerrit
/ 28th March 2018oh look, a squirrel…
Blazer
/ 28th March 2018oh look….a parrot.
Kitty Catkin
/ 28th March 2018Is it pining for the fjords ?
Kitty Catkin
/ 28th March 2018Oh really, PDT’s….get a grip on yourselves and find something better to do with your time. What a pathetic lot you are.