Uffindell will fight for Tauranga says Reti after punching down reveal

National Party NZ Website

Peter Verschaffelt Selection from Shane Reti / National MP

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Senior National MP Shane Reti is supporting newly-elected Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell despite revelations he was asked to leave exclusive King’s College 20 years ago for beating up a younger student.

Mr Uffindell apologised to his victim – shortly before putting his name forward for the by-election – but the man says he doesn’t believe the apology was genuine.

Dr Reti says people standing for parliament know they are going to come under scrutiny and past actions can have consequences.

He says Mr Uffindell admitted he made a terrible mistake and has done everything he can to remediate his behaviour.

“My observations of the man in this first month or so he’s been with us and in the campaign team is that he brings a lot of experience, his heart is in the right place, he will fight for the people of Tauranga and he is deeply and sincerely apologetic for this action he took as a 16-year-old,” Dr Retisays.

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