Strike Three

Trevor Mallard is not getting a good strike rate with his allegations. Strike One was the allegations that Melissa Lee used taxpayer funds in 2008 to make an election advertisement. Strike Two was that Melissa Lee had pakred on a disabled car park.

The Herald reports on Strike Three:

The exchange turned testy when Mr Mallard, who is Labour’s education spokesman, accused her of giving an “inappropriate one-fingered gesture” across the floor of the House.

But Mr Mallard – who suggested Ms Bennett’s denial could be a breach of parliamentary privilege if TV film showed her making the gesture – was later forced to apologise to her.

Labour staffers rang him to say the film showed she had waved her hand without making the gesture.

So if Bennett’s denial (if incorrect) could be a preach of privilege, could an incorrect accusation also be a breach of privilege?