August 15, 2014
Keep it clean says Sharples
Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples says a new book about National’s close links with right wing bloggers highlights the yukky side of politics he has tried to avoid.
Dirty Politics by Nicky Hager is based on emails hacked from Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater.
Mr Hager argues they show National Party ministers and staff in the Prime Minister’s office abusing their power to get stories on the blog that embarrassed political opponents.
Dr Sharples says he hasn’t read the book yet, but he’s alarmed at the bits that people have highlighted.
"This is the yukky side of politics. I've been in parliament now nine years and as I learn more about the often seedy bits and underhand stuff that goes on, it's not very nice at all and that's why I've been able to stay on top of all that stuff and if I've amde any mistakes, they have been honest mistakes," he says.
Dr Sharples says dirty politics is not part of the New Zealand way of doing things.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PITA SHARPLES CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjExNjU=
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