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Download AudioNew Zealand First leader Winston Peters says an apology from Trevor Mallard doesn’t show the former Speaker is qualified to be a diplomat.
Mr Mallard signed the apology for trespassing the former deputy prime minister from Parliament for his visit to anti-vaccine protesters occupying the grounds in February, but it was delivered by his successor Adrian Rurawhe.
Mr Peters says it followed Mr Mallard’s admission to the High Court he had acted unreasonably.
He says it doesn’t meet the standard for the next ambassador to Ireland.
“I always thought it was wrong that politicians who go into politics for different reasons and people who train in our diplomatic corps and in areas like trade which is highly demanding in terms of qualifications, that they should be passed over just like that for jobs for the girls and jobs for the boys,” Mr Peters says.
Mr Mallard will take up his posting to Ireland next year.
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