Hone and Metiria

The Herald reports on the problems caused by Hone Harawira’s advocacy for his nephews who are charged with assaulting John Key.

Mr Harawira is the uncle of the two brothers charged with assault and has publicly supported them in their court trial, including calling for the matter to be dealt with outside the court and for Mr Key to meet them.

I think it would be entirely inappropriate for this to be treated any differently than any other crime of this nature. It is illegal to grab and jostle someone like they did. You are allowed to protest but you are not allowed to assault.

Sharples and Tria have said:

But they did not add their support to Mr Harawira’s, saying they had no tolerance for violence and were “greatly concerned about the assault against the position of Prime Minister”.

They said MPs also had to be “mindful” not to be seen as interfering in the court process.

Indeed.

Now I have some sympathy that Hone feels a need to support his nephews, even though what he calls for is unacceptable. But it is not just Hone calling for this. Green MP Metiria Turei has blogged:

Well actually, the process of restorative justice could be well be the most constructive response. Giving these young men, passionate about Treaty issues, the chance to talk with the Prime Minister about why their passions run so high.

I sometimes wonder what plane of reality these people are on. Think about this – assault the Prime Minister as a method of protest and it will guarantee that you get a one on one meeting with him to to talk about your issue.

You’d have people trying to whack John to the ground at every street corner. Hell some of his backbench MPs will probably even throw a punch if it means that will get them a meeting without having to negotiate with his appointments secretary!!