More details have emerged about a worker who Cabinet Minister Andrew Bayly admitted calling a “loser” during a business visit, and which he has since apologised for.
The workers’ account of Bayly’s conduct first emerged publicly last Friday, when the Small Business Minister made a “fulsome” apology over the interaction.
1News has since obtained an unredacted copy of the workers’ complaint after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon faced more questions about the incident at Parliament today.
The unredacted letter reveals the worker identified themselves as a former member of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) when complaining to the Government.
The worker wrote: “I did not dedicate five years of my life to the NZDF, only to be belittled by an ambassador of the very government I served.
Bayly corrected an earlier answer he gave under questioning from Labour’s Arena Williams about whether he drank anything on the day in question. (Source: Other)
“I have been part of the repatriation of fallen soldiers being brought back from South Korea. I have been apart of, and led, cultural ceremonies for the Royal Family’s visits to New Zealand and other dignitaries — all of which require a form of etiquette severely lacking in Andrew Bayly.”
Speaking to 1News, a support person of the worker said they were unable to do any media interviews, but that he was very upset and devastated by what had taken place.
Bayly disputes whether or not he told the worker to “f… off” as alleged in a written complaint sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, but conceded he called the man a “loser” and made an L-shape with his fingers on his forehead.
The minister said he thought he was having a “light-hearted exchange” with a worker.
But the complainant said they felt “degraded, embarrassed, and deeply disrespected” by the Cabinet minister’s actions, according to their written complaint.
He said he had felt “angered and powerless” and like they were “the object of ridicule in front of my peers” over Bayly’s interaction with them.
Labour has called for Bayly to face greater consequences over the incident.