Foon not actually resigned yet

One News reports:

He told Breakfast this morning while he had indicated to Associate Minister of Justice Deborah Russell he would leave the job, he hasn’t formally resigned yet.

“I didn’t want to surprise the prime minister, so I sent him a note and said ‘look the Associate Minister of Justice is looking at dismissing me’.

“I have not formally written to the Associate Minster of Justice yet.

“The information leaked out of the prime minister’s office, hence the news headlines that the Race Relations Commissioner has resigned.”

So Hipkins office leaked out on Friday, in advance of him actually resigning.

Foon told Breakfast he’s “not an idiot” and plans to challenge the Government.

“I’ve never seen in any board policy, especially the human rights one, that there is no rules or policy to actually declare financial information, there’s nothing.

“I had all my shares that I had, I did not declare the financial quantum, there’s no rule. I actually volunteered it and to volunteer that I think I’m bloody honest.”

Foon admitted that he did not declare conflicts of interest at the time but it’s still important to challenge the Government for “fairness and justice”. 

“I think it’s very important to actually challenge, challenge and be upfront and be brave on my behalf to actually challenge the decision of the minister.”

He said all he wants is a fair deal and if he’s going to be “thrown under the bus” everyone else should be too.

“Other MPs have not declared their interests and they are still there, you know, and so why am I being put under the bus for not declaring a perceived conflict of interest?

Foon is right that his conflict of interest lapse is far far less serious than Michael Wood’s. If what Foon did is a sackable offence, then how is Michael Wood still in Cabinet?