Education Minister Erica Stanford apologised in Parliament today after allegedly calling Labour’s education spokesperson Jan Tinetti a “stupid b****” during question time.
Tinetti had been questioning Stanford about rural bus routes being cancelled when the Minister mouthed the comment at Tinetti.
Labour’s Duncan Webb raised Stanford’s unparliamentary remark with the Speaker and suggested she apologise for her comment.
Stanford promptly rose to her feet and said “I withdraw and apologise”.
Tinetti told media shortly afterwards what had happened.
“She said ‘stupid b-*-*-*-*’ to me except the word…I think she was frustrated and under pressure from the question and that was her response,” Tinetti said.
“This isn’t the first time that that’s happened, one other question that I’ve had she’s said something similar when she sat down.”
Education spokesperson Jan Tinetti spoke to media after Erica Stanford withdrew and apologised in Parliament. (Source: 1News)
Tinetti alleged Stanford also made a similar comment when questioned by Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime recently.
“This is the first time we decided to stand up to complain to the Speaker about it because when you’ve got form like that you can’t let that go….I certainly don’t expect to be treated like that in the House.”
Tinetti said she expects the Prime Minister will want to speak with his Education Minister about her behaviour.
“I was a Decile 1 school principal, so yes, I’ve certainly heard quite a raft of things that have been said to me before but I also held those young people accountable, I certainly don’t think it’s good behaviour for the Education Minister.”
Stanford has not yet responded to a request for comment.
