A police complaint has been filed after MP Shane Jones was verbally abused and his wife allegedly assaulted during a “confrontation” at Auckland Airport yesterday.
Speaking to 1News, a spokesperson for Jones said a man not known to the pair verbally abused the New Zealand First MP and grabbed the shoulder of his wife, Dot.
A complaint had been filed with police over the alleged assault, they added.
The incident occurred yesterday morning.
Dot Jones was “doing okay” but was fearful that similar incidents could happen to the spouses of other MPs, according to the spokesperson.
Shane Jones is a Cabinet minister, holding the fisheries, regional development and resources portfolios in Government.
He told the NZ Herald that it was “a horrible experience for the spouse of an MP.”
Dot Jones said the incident began with verbal abuse being hurled at her husband.
“It got so aggressive. We thought he was joking then realised quite quickly he was serious,” she reportedly said.
A police spokesperson said staff “dealt with a confrontation between individuals at Auckland Airport on Saturday morning” and there were “no injuries reported.”
An Auckland Airport spokesperson confirmed an incident took place in the domestic terminal and that it was supporting police with an investigation.
“The airport security team had staff on site following the incident,” they said. “Auckland Airport has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind and takes matters like this seriously.”
