Sometimes you should ignore MFAT advice

Stuff reports:

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has told MPs not to attend events involving the controversial spiritual movement Falun Gong later this month because the Chinese Embassy will monitor them and lodge official protests.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice, circulated by McCully’s office, was aimed at National MPs but leaked after it was sent in error to other MPs. “Given the sensitivities of this event, MFAT advice to ministers and MPs should not attend World Falun Dafa Day events,” the email said.

It is one things for Ministers not to attend, as they represent the Government, but I think it is not appropriate to warn off backbench MPs.

I have no liking for Falun Gong. But the more China demonises them, the more it makes me want to support them.