Russel Norman Greens party co-leader Russel Norman says he will "vigorously defend" any defamation suit taken against him by the Conservatives leader but he remains in some doubt as to whether the action will proceed. The Conservatives' leader, Colin Craig, who has frequently objected to equal rights for glbti people and has taken to depicting gay people as abnormal, is objecting to Norman summing up his stance as thinking "a gay man's place is in the closet." Norman made the statement in electioneering mode at the recent Big Gay Out glbti community picnic and fun day. Craig this afternoon advised he's asked his lawyer to take the next steps in defamation proceedings. Responding this evening, Norman says "The Green Party will vigorously defend any case of defamation brought by Colin Craig because we believe in the freedom of political speech and we believe in an inclusive and tolerant society." However, Craig seems to be taking his time to actually launch a defamation action. "Colin Craig hasn't actually said he is filing a defamation case, despite setting himself a deadline of today to do so," Norman says. "Today's announcement that Mr Craig is instructing his lawyers to look into the matter further is far from a conclusive decision to pursue a defamation case. Norman says the Greens are proud of their contribution to extending rights and freedoms for gay people, adding that "we will continue to stand up for a tolerant and inclusive society."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 21st February 2014 - 9:56pm