Stuart Nash says he can and will continue to work in other ministerial roles, after resigning as police minister on Wednesday.
There’s now pressure from the Opposition and political commentators for Nash to lose his other portfolios as well. National’s Chris Bishop, after he called for an urgent debate about Nash’s conduct, argued that Nash – in breaching the Cabinet Manual – had shown he shouldn’t be a minister at all.
Legal observers say the rules Nash broke are important barriers, designed to stop corruption and authoritarianism.
ACT’s David Seymour, who first raised the alarm about Nash’s interference with police, said he must be sacked as a minister altogether.
Nash made a surprise appearance in Gisborne earlier on Thursday, standing beside Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to announce government funding for a shipping line while road diversions remain in place.
At the event, he told reporters he’d “completely stuffed up” by calling Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to encourage him to appeal a court decision.
By Thursday, Nash instead characterised his decision to call Coster and complain about the ruling as a bad decision.
He vowed to continue in the roles of minister for economic development, fisheries and forestry.
Hipkins said on Wednesday Nash had not offered his resignation from the other portfolios – only from police.
Credit: stuff.co.nz
