Labour MP Phil Twyford says he should not have used his parliamentary email to endorse candidates in the local body elections and he is sorry.Mr Twyford, Labour's Auckland Issues spokesman, met Parliamentary Service officials today following an accusation
Labour MP Phil Twyford says he should not have used his parliamentary email to endorse candidates in the local body elections and he is sorry.
Mr Twyford, Labour's Auckland Issues spokesman, met Parliamentary Service officials today following an accusation from Act leader Rodney Hide about improper use of parliamentary resources.
Mr Twyford sent emails -- including one to endorse Auckland super city mayoralty candidate Len Brown.
"Parliamentary Services have told me that there is a case to answer and that it has been referred to the Speaker's Office. This was a genuine mistake. I am now aware of the rules and I won't be making this mistake again.
"It wasn't my intention to break the rules and I apologise."
Mr Hide, who is Minister for Local Government, released a statement today saying he had referred "a member" to the general manager of Parliamentary Service.
Mr Hide said he wanted to remind MPs that they were prohibited from using resources provided to them as an MP to endorse candidates in local government elections.
"It is vital to maintain local government's democratic independence and to act in accordance with New Zealand's important democratic principles," he said.
"As such, individual MPs should not use their taxpayer provided resources to influence local government elections in any way."
He said he wanted to caution other MPs against "such inappropriate behaviour".
Sign up to get the latest stories and insights delivered to your inbox – free, every day.
